CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 6

CHESS

WELLINGTON CLUB

ANNUAL LIGHTNING TOURNEY

In pursuance of its policy for providing attractions during .the less active half of its year.the committee of the Wellington Chess Club- held a very successful lightning tourney on Saturday evening. This is to be followed by Gambit tourneys like those which did so much to keep up the attendances in the spring months of last year. It is hoped to make a start with this popular competition on Saturday next. Two silver kings have been provided as trophies for these Gambit tourneys, and a handsome-rook trophy has been donated for the summer tourney, which is open to allcomers and runs from December Ito February 2& There was a gratifying attendance of members and visitors at Saturday's lightning tourney, fourteen players competing in the A grade and eighteen in the B grade section. Ten seconds were allowed for each move, and any games that were not completed at the twentieth move were quickly adjudicated on. This enabled 13 rounds to be completed by 11 p.m. In last year's contest the unfinished games were not adjudicated on until the 30th move was reached, which doubtless explains why the percentage of drawn games was slightly higher in Saturday's contest. The prize in the A grade tourney was won by Mr. R. G. Didsbury, who favourably impressed the critics when making his first congress appearance at Dunodin" in December last. He went through the 13 rounds without losing a game, his tally of 10% points being mad? up of 8 wins and 5 draws. Good score* were also made by Messrs. F. K. Kelliujr (10), H. M. Rosenberg (0%), J. Otto (0), J. C. McCrea (7), and E. J. Dyer and J. K. L. Webling (each 6%). Last year's winner (A. W. Gyles) and runnerup (J. Morton) were "unable to compete on this occasion. Mr. H. P. Yarrell, who won the club's annual Petherick tourney a. month ago, added to his laurels by finishing up an easy first in the B grade section. He also went through the 13 rounds without a loss, his score of ll'/i comprising 10 wins and 3 draws. The nest best tallies were made by Messrs. R. A. Lucas and B. Steen (each 9VS). H. J. Fuller (BVj), R. Williams and R. C. Glass (each S), C. K. Duncan and W. J. Cornish (each V&), and D. Stephens and T. Sherlaw (each 7). At the conclusion of play Mr. F. K. Kelling (president) presented the prizes to Messrs. Didsbury and Yarrell. At his invitation a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. W. White, whose efficient work as timekeeper and adjudicator contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. A similar compliment was paid to the donors of the two trophies. In thanking visitors for their attendance Mr. Kcllinsr reminded them that the summer tourney is open to any player living in Greater Wellington. In order to provide further •attractions tho committee might do well in trying a competition that has proved very popular and instructive in Auckland, where prizes art' fjiven to those who find lln< iiivatcst number of moves made by Iho winner of >oine aatm: recently played by hvu of the world's greatest clicssinastcrs.