CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 135, 4 December 1929, Page 18

CHESS

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

■ A: special general meeting of the New Zeaknd Chess Association was held at 6i, Courtenay place, on Monday evening, Mr. W. Mackay, the local vice-presi-dent, occupying the chair. The following delegates were also present: T. Fouhy (Auckland C.C.), G. P. Anderson (Gisbbrne C.C.), G. A. Jones (Masterton G:CT.),- A. W. Gyles and E. E. Taylor (Wellington C.C), F. K. Kelling (Wellington W.M. Club, Rotorua and Invercargill), H; M. Rosenberg (Wellington W. M. Club), P. J. Brooker (Canterbury C.C.), W. E. Mason (Oamaru C.C.), and W. Toomath (hon. secretary). An apology for non-attendance was received from W. Kemble Welch (Palnierston North C.C.). Mr W. Toomath (hon. secretary) reported having received the following fifteen entries for the 39th tourney to decide the chess championship of New Zealand, ■which commences in Wanganui on Boxing Day: J. A. Erskine, present champion (Southland C.C.), C J. S. Purdy, present champion of N.S.W. and N.Z. champion in 1925 (private entry, Sydney); G. Gundersen, 12 times champion of Victoria (private entry, Melbourne); J. C. Grierson (now champion of the Auckland C.G.'for the 12th time and twice champion of N.Z.); <E. Rutherfurd (3 Congresses, 1906, 1908, and 1910), Stratford G.C.; L. Pleasants, Wanganui C.C. (qualified for fijnals, Auckland Congress 1926----27); R. O. Scott (plays at Board 1 in the Wanganui Club's telegraphic matches); Paul Kutnmer (Masterton C.C, has played at Board 1 for his club for the past ten years with marked success); G. P. Anderson (an ex-champion of Wellington C.C, with fine match record, played formerly in Bristol); F. K. Kelling, Wellington W.M. Club (21 Congresses, 17 Congress prizes); W. J. Fail-burn, Wellington W.M. Club (6 Congresses: at present leading in the Wellington Club's "Petheriek" tourney); K. Beyer, Wellington W.M. Club (a new arrival from Denmark where he played with much success in the Aalborg and. Kopenhagen Chess Clubs); Ernest E. Hicks- (ex-champion of the Ngaio C.C., qualified for the finals at the Wellington Congress of 1923-24, when there was a strong entry); Hereward Tbpp (Ngaio C.C, a colt of exceptional promise, who has scored wins from three Congress players in the current tourney for-the Ngaio championship, besides drawing.' his game against a former Dominion cnampion), and E. H. Severue, Nelson C.C. (many times champion of tlie Canterbury and -Nelson Clubs and a most consistent prize-winner at these annual New Zealand Congresses). ■These entries were submitted to the Elimination Board and were accepted by that body. . With such good overseas entries it. was naturally regretted that several of * the Dominion's strongest players ■would not be taking part, notably Messrs. Duhlop (Dunedin), Anderson (Christchurch), Moir (Auckland), F. Hollins (Inglewood},- W. E. Mason (Wellington), and A. W. Gyles (Wellington). Their absence from the contest will make it harder to- live up to the well-known slogan /"Kia Kaha Niu Tireni" (Be Strong, New. Zealand).

•The annual "Congress" grant was specially increased on this occasion, the sum of, -£25 being voted to the funds of the coming championship tourney. It was decided to remind clubs whose One Shilling lists are'outstanding that those should be returned as soon as possible. In order that the whole of the play may be disposed cf in 13 rounds it was decided to resort to section play if the number o£ competitors. exceeds 14. With three sections of 5, or three sections of 6, or two sections of 8, it would be possible to allow 12. to take part in the finals without exceeding 13 rounds. The drawings are to jbe. made known in advance. The contest for the Blackburn Cup has been abandoned. The Gisborne, Hamilton, Napier, and Wanganui Clubs, who were competing in this'event, found it impossible to carry out the full programme of telegraphic snatches. The Hamilton Club, which won the only match that it played, suggested ;ea'ncelling this year's records,- and making an earlier start next year. This was agreed to by, the donor of the trophy, Mr. C. Blackburn, of Gisborrie.

Delegates learnt with pleasure of a recent marked improvement in the health 'of-Mr. C. W. Tanner, the ex-secretary of ■the Association, who has done so much for; the cause of New Zealand chess during the past ten years. Best wishes were also expressed for the early recovery of >Mr. T. H. Battle, -who has been hon. secretary of the Wanganui Chess Club lor .more than two decades, and who hop?s ;to be well enough to visit the Congress (room during the Christmas holidays. FuiIther mindful- o£ those who have done valued work for the - "royal game" in New Zealand the meeting decided to heartily congratulate Mr. J. C. Grierser. \ (who last week won the Auckland Club's championship for the twelfth time), and Mr. E. A..Le Petit, the hon. secretary '.of the Southland C.C., who has just won I the Southland Championship, and with ; it. the exceedingly handsome and valuable '. trophy donated by the Prime Minister, the Right Eon. Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. J. A. Erskine, the present New , Zealand champion, is spending two days ;in Wellington. He goes South this even- '• ing..

„ A vote of thanks to Mr. Mackay for presiding terminated the meeting.