CHESS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 49, 21 November 1921, Page 7

CHESS

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON Ths Otago members of the New Zealand Adjudication Board (Messrs. R. A. Cleland, A. W. O. Davies, and O. Balk) have given their awards in the four unfinished games of the recent telegraphic match between the Auckland and Wellington clubs. The decisions are as follow :—Board 1: A win for Mr. Grierson (Auckland); Board 5 (E. J. Miles v. E. A. Hicks), a draw; Board 7: A win for Mr. Fouhy (W.); and Board 17: A win for Mr. C. W. Tanuar (W.). The final tally is therefore: Auckland 10i wins, Wellington 9} wins. The Wellington Club has telegraphed its congratulations to the Auckland. Club. The latter gained a useful lead of two games on the first evening (October 1). On the following Saturday the local players made a great effort to equalise, but tho Aucklanders played steadily, and well, and tho W e l‘ lingtonians were only able to regain halt the ground lost on the first evening. It will be noticed that the Auckland team scored heavily at the higher boards, while the Wellington representatives showed up better ‘‘at the tail." The Auckland Club, having also defeated Canterbury and tied with Otago, may be regarded as New Zealand® strongest club, the points in this year s quadrilateral tourney being as follow: —Auckland C.C., 21; Wellington L. 0., 2; Otago C.C., 1J; Canterbury C.C., nil. The full score of the recent match is as follows: — Auckland. Wellington. Grierson, J. C. 1 Mason, W. E. 0 Stewart, P. N. 6 Gyles, A. W.••• 1 Coulthard, T. 1 Mackay, W. y Pickett, J. A. 1 Kelling, F. K. 0 Miles, E. J. ... 4 Hicks, E. A.... i Smith, F. W. 1 Grady, F 0 Myers, 11. E. 0 Fouhy, T 1 Roberts, C. C. 4 Gyles, S 4 lAddis, H. D. ... 4 Purchas, S. ... 4 Adams, G. G. 4 Faulknor,.S.... 4 Little, C 1 Brooker, F. J. 0 Arapoff, M. ... 1 While, IV G Hemus, H. ... 0 Jessup, II 1 Barker, R. ... 4 Sim, L 4 Sullivan, J. F. 1 Crandle, H. E. 0 Senior, J. F. ... 1 Jessup, A. E. 0 Jeffreys, F. R. 0 Tanner, C. W. 1 Hayward C. E. 0 Wring, W. ... 1 Jones 6 Fletcher, T. A. 1 Putman R 0 Lawson, A. L. 1 Total 104 Total 94 It is interesting to recall that, according to local records (which may or may not be complete) these clubs have opposed each other on seven occasions, as follow:—(a) In 1891, three Saturday evenings were devoted to a 15-a-side match, the final tally being: Wellington, 8J; Auckland, 61. There were a largo number of spectators, including two of New Zealand’s foremost players, viz., the late Hon. John Ballance (Prime Minister) and Sir Robert Stout (who founded tho Otago Chess Club in the sixties). Mr. R. J. Barnes (then Now Zealand champion) drew with Mr. Malcolm at Board 1, and the late Mt. C. W. Benbow (president) won from Mr. Ashton at Board 2. (b) In 1895 a 20-a-side match occupied three evenings. After five incomplete games had been adjudicated on by tho Into Mr. H. Hookham, of Christchurch (New Zealand's pioneer chess champion), the verdict was in favour of "Wellington (13 —7). Messrs. Benbow, W. Mackay (the then New Zealand champion) and the late Mr. A. I. Littlejohn scored for the local team at the, first .three boards, but at Board 4 Mr. Barnes lost his game through exceeding his time limit by two minutes! Mr. W. E. Mason (the ex-champion of New Zealand), who was then 18 years, of age, .scored his game at Board‘l7 in fine style, (c) Only two evenin"® were devoted to the 1899 contest (fifteen boards). Tho Wellingtoinans had a wire laid on to the Exchange Buildings. •’ Five incomplete games were referred W Mr. R. A. Cleland, of Dunedin (tho then New Zealand champion), and he awarded a draw in each case. Auckland thus scored a well-deserved victory by ten games to five. Mr. W. E. Mason, at Board 3, and tho late Mr. 1 eter Still at Board 4, were tho only two players to score for Wellington. Six sanies were drawn, and tho remaining seven were scored by Auckland, who had a very formidable "tail.” (d) .twenty boards were used in the 1902 match After three evenings’ play seven Same s r were referred to the late Mr. David I 01-«-tli of Dunedin (the ex-champion of New Zealand). As his decisions could not alter the result—a win for M ellmgton—Mr. Barnes (captain) sent the following facetious telcgra ?J] : b ers surrendering now will be admitrea to Greater Wellington. Shortly aftei wmrds came the reply : "Thiinks for iboral terms of surrender, but we pH etc to remain Auckland citizens for the preXtitateg had to Tames Tait, Carmine, and Ja nlon - W The 1904 contest also consisted of twenty boards Mr. C. Benbow captained Iho local side, but did not play. Alter strenuous play six were adjudicated on by Mr. Eorsytn (Dunedin), the final score being: M elglme n at Board 1 Mr. A W Gyles then only 16 years of age, made his first n terprovincial” appearance, scoring • i.draw at Board 20. At the close of this con test chess liters in Auckland and Christchurch generously complnuente Wellington on being tinstrongest chess centre. It gives Wellington enthusiasts much to pass this compliment on to Auckland to-day. (f) The 1920 match bridged a. gap ot sixteen years. Owing to coal trouble, Auckland was without trains and elc ® < '”® Imht The northern club was thus a double handicap, and did not do itself justice. The final tally in Inst, yeai s fixture was: Wellington. 131; Auckland. 6’ (g) This year’s contest, as recorded above, has ended in a win foMhe Auckland C.C. by our game (101—9. J. Jhe Wellington Club has thus won five ot the seven matches played. Only two players have taken part in all seven matches, viz., Messrs. W. Mackay and F K. Kelling. both of Wellington.