Otago Chess Club Jubilee

Evening Star, Issue 21742, 9 June 1934, Page 20

Otago Chess Club Jubilee

Games and Champions of the Past

(Record Compiled by D.H.H., Chess Editor, ‘ Evening Star.’)

The coat of arms adopted by the dub has been described as 'Queen and two pawns proper, argent 'on a field, sable. In a bordure argent 'is inscribed the motto, Mind your -‘P.s’ and ‘ Q.s.’ ” The first Dunedin Chess Club was founded in 1865. The idea originated with Sir Robert Stout, then M.H.R. for Caversham, who 'wrote a letter signed “ Rook ” in the ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ suggesting the formation of a chess club. Mr Stout, as he was then, Was, assisted in his efforts, by Captain Baldwin, and , Messrs Ferdinand and Faithful Begg,_ brothers of the late Mr 4,. C. Begg. This earliest club met in the Dunedin Athenaeum, then at the corner of Manse and High streets, the opposite corner being in after years she home of the Otago Chess Club. The first club became moribund, but was resuscitated in 1875, the first officebearers being:—President, J ohn Mouat;' secretary, R. Proctor; treasurer, C. J anion j committee —Messrs Taylor. Johnson, J. S. Archer, and [Worthington. It had a very short life, but during its existence telegraph matches were played against Lawrence and Auckland, and the membership rose to sixty members. Mr W. T. Grindstead’s name appears as an officebearer in 1876, and on the occasion of the annual meeting that year, after the business was disposed of, there was “ a most sumptuous supper ” at Watson’s Hotel. Complimentary speeches were made, toasts honoured, and then dancing was indulged in until 3 o’clock on the following morning. It was during this club’s existence that the first Chess Congress was held in New Zealand. It was held in 1879 in Christchurch, the competitors being H. Hookham, P. P. Jacobsen (of Akaroa), R. Bray, J. Colbburno Veel, and A. Newman. (Christchurch), D. R. Hay (Dunedin), C. Janion (Kumara), and Rev. T. E. Ash (Clyde). Messrs Hookham and Hay tied for first place with ten wins and four losses each. The game for the play-off, which lasted six hours, ended in favour of Hookham, who became New Zealand’s pioneer chess champion.. It is interesting to note that the prizes were: First £SO, second £2O, third £lO. To restrict the number of local entries, those living in Christchurch and within a circle of fifteen miles, had to pay an entrance fee of £5 ss. In 1883 there was in existence in Dunedin a chess and draughts club, I but there are no records of its activities. Mr D. R. Hay was the president, and the moving spirit in this phib.

including many volumes on standard subjects. After inspecting them recently the public librarian gave it as his opinion there were a few really valuable and rare early editions by well-known authors on the shelves. In August, 1885, the club, which up to that time had the use of a room two evenings a week. at the Coffee Palace, moved its quarters to Watson’s Hotel. There appears on record that about this time an annual meeting was hold in the Excelsior Hotel, but I have

On. June 9, 1884, a meeting was held in the Coffee Palace, Moray place, when the Otago Chess Club was founded' The original officers were:— President, E. C. Quick; vice-presidents 4—C. S. Reeves and Dr Batchelor; secretary, W. H. Fitzer; treasurer, J. ; Manner; committee—J. S. Archer, W. S. Lawless, J. R. Morris, J. Richardson, ;W. H. Trapp, and B. Throp (who died last year and was the only surviving member of this committee). Of the members who joined in 1884, there are only two survivors, Dr Colquhoun and D. Harris Hastings. The following are the names of the surviving members who joined the .club in the next .ten ■ years in the_ order of their seniority:—P. V. Siedeberg (now living on the European Continent). H. J. Cleland (in Wellington), C. M. Baeyartz (in Australia), James Crow, W. Crow (in England), H. Lyders, F. Wilkinson, W. -Friedlander unknown), L. Warsaw (in Australia), W- B. Ibbotson, Sir John Roberts, 0. Balk,_ and J. H. F. Hamel. Special mention should be made of F. V. Siedeherg, who at that time was one of the most prominent young chess players in the colony. _ He won the New Zealand championship in 1891 and 1892, but the senior championship of, the Otago Club was not competed for in those days. He left the colony for Europe in 1893. ... To mention a few of the ancient stalwarts: John Mouat, solicitor and mining advocate, was one of the original members of the club and for many years one of its leading mainstays. His record of attendances and matches played in the club room will probably never be beaten, although m later years S. S. Myers was a good second. He often served on the committee, but would not accept any higher office. He was elected the first life member in 1888, and died on July 1, 1902. His memory is still revered by those of us who remember him, and in the club rooms hangs an enlarged photograph Of our old comrade and friend. The members also subscribed and purchased • • the Mouat clock,” to bo competed for yearly. It is still in the club room, but for some unexplained reason is not competed for now. His work as chess editor of the ‘ Otago Witness ’ for many years proved that he was an ideal chess editor, and he also had a fair knowledge of several foreign languages. He was once aptly described by a club mate as “ a chess tippler,” for he was always ready to play with anyone and everyone, and never appeared to get enough. He delighted to play what are commonly called “ skittle ” games, and it was no unusual experience for him to play ten or fifteen games in an evening. Amongst other constant attenders at the club during its first ten years were Dr W. M. Stenhouse, a Scotch poet of ho mean ability. He was an earnest and hard-working member of the club, iwas president for three years, and ranked as a first-class player. At the socials, which were then more prevalent than they are now, he was a fund of Entertainment, and his Scottish humour fenerally “ brought down the house.” . B. Borton, who joined the club in 1884, was also very regular in-his attendance and highly _ respected by all ivith whom he came into contact. Ho Lad a peculiar habit of tapping with his foot when he was considering a move, but this action never annoyed Lis opponents, as they were all iised to it. Other prominent players in the early days were W. A. Sim (afterwards Sir William Sim), Dr Fred. Fitchett and his partner, A. Thornton, 0. Colclough, John Clegg, E. A. Cogan, F. H. Irwin, J. Ashcroft, W. Bluer, J. A. Percy, Jas. Crow, W. Evans, H. Lyders, D. A. Do Maus J. W. Mellor, who has now a world-wide scientific reputation, L. Warsaw, and F. Litoff, who left the Chess Club a legacy. Mr R. Brown was a member of the club for many years. He did not play much, but was an enthusiast on problem solving. When he died he left the club quite a valuable library, cnolisting not only pf chess literature, but

a hazy recollection of a meeting being held on the same site in the Oriental Hotel, when the licensee was Miss Priscilla Verne, a well-known vaudeville artist. The next move was to the A.M.P. Buildings, where the club for tho first time had a room of its own. Mr Cleland, in & published speech, gives the date as 1892, but personally I am of the opinion that it was a great deal earlier. After the shift to the A.M.P. Buildings the membership of tho club began

to increase, and when it moved into Manse street, first to a room at the back of SVain’s Hotel and afterwards to the Occidental Chambers, the membership was about forty. Finally, somewhere about 1894 rooms were taken in the South British Insurance Buildings in Liverpool street. Within a short time the club was in a very strong position, with two rooms, telephone, reading and writing accommodation, and, what was .of more importance, a numerical strength of between eighty

and ninety members, including over a dozen ladles. To revert hack to 1890. This year was notable for an accession of a number of new members, including R. A. and H. J. Cleland, J. Crow, F. Litoff, C. N. Baeyertz, and Dr Belcher, rector of the Boys’ High School, as well as fourteen other players. There is not a shadow of doubt that very few, if any, members of the club have done as much to promote the interest and efficiency of the Otago Chess Club as the late R. A. Cleland. He was one of New Zealand’s outstanding players, and a noted problem composer and solver. His contributions to chess literature were of a very high standard. To Mr Cleland, when president of the New Zealand Association, ig the credit due for

the present constitution of that. body, and also for formulating the rules for the playing of telegraph matches. He did not compete in many congresses, but he tied for first place in 1894, and won the championship right out in 1898. He won the club championship in 1895, 1896, and 1897, 1909, 1911, and finally in 1917. Ho was president of the club in 1894, and was re-elected to that position in 1917. In private life he was very quiet and unassuming, highly respected by all with whom ho was brought into contact, and the majority of the players were his personal friends. He died on July 6, 1923, and his memory is kept green in the club by an enlarged photograph on the wall of the club room.

After tho club had settled down in its new quarters in Liverpool street in 1894, and had already become more prosperous, several citizens of good standing joined it, amongst them being Sir Joshua Strange Williams and Sir John Roberts, the latter holding the office of vice-president of the New Zealand Chess Association in 1894. It was in this year that Mr Oscar Balk, the present patron of the club, joined up, and he ranks with Mr R. Cleland for his service to chess in the dominion, and the Otago Chess Club in particular. Like Mr Cleland, ho is a player, problem composer, and solver of no mean order, and, what perhaps is more important-, has won the esteem and _ respect of all members of the club since he joined up. He filled the office of president in 1898, 1924, and 1925, and was the club champion in 1899, 1903, 1913, and finally in 1928, since when he has not contested the title. Only those of us who have worked with “ O.B.” know the amount of time he has spent and the work he has done for the club. May it be many years before his photograph is hung on the wall alongside his old comrades, Messrs J. Mouat and R.. A. Cleland.

The present president of the club, D. Harris Hastings, has no claim to be a good player, but has always taken a keen interest in its affairs. He was an early member of the committee, and president in 1915. He then was elected secretary, which office he held until 1922, and when he retired was elected a life member of the club. Two years afterwards be became treasurer, and held that office until March of the_ present year, when he was again appointed president. Reference must be made to David Forsyth, who was the inventor of the “Forsyth Notation,” which is generally used in English-speaking countries for recording the position of games, illustration of problems, etc. Before coming to New Zealand he had been secretary and treasurer of the Scottish Chess Association from the time of its inauguration until he left for this dominion. He was an expert player, winning the dominion championship in 1901, and being champion of the club in 1902, 1904, 1905, and 1907. Ho joined the club in 1898, and was hon. -secretary for a short time in 1908.

Mr G', D. Wright’s name must not be omitted from the list of those who has done yeoman’s work for the club. He has held every office, and his record of nine years’ service as hon. secretary will not soon be forgotten. Other members who deserve special mention are A. R. Barclay, who was a real hustler and a very capable secretary, J. T. Johnson, another past secretary, J. H. F. Hamel, who is still an active member, A. Ellis, T. _M. Gillies, Dr Heinemann, E. P. Grinsted, H. J. Cleland, and J. J. Marlow, a vice-pre-sident this year. It is fitting that this list' of prominent members should conclude with a tribute to S. S. Myers and his playing partner, J. Crow. Mr Myers, who was president of the club in 1906 and 1927, is to be grouped with those who helped to develop its activities. A genial club mate, with ideas like Mr Mouat regarding playing everybody and anybody, He was the life and soul of the club for many years, and was always a liberal supporter when it was found necessary to raise funds. His private hospitality was well known, and his house was an open one to alj chess players. Mr J. Crow, senior vice-pre-sident this year, has been a quiet, active member of the club for thirtynine years, and has earned the respect of all those with whom he has been brought into contact. Many names have been omitted from • the list of worthy past members,_ and to them or their relatives apologies are tendered. The lease of the Liverpool street rooms having expired; the home of the club was moved to the Young Men’s Christian Association in Moray place, and after a short tenure there, in 1921. a move was made to Mr D. Lamach’s rooms in Liverpool street, and afterwards to a room in Princes street south next the Empire Hotel, These were only occupied by the club for twelve m(friths, when a lease was taken of Mr Divers’s rooms in the Grand Picture Theatre building. These rooms were very comfortable, but owing to the fact that the members could not use them in the daytime a room in Hannah’s Buildings, George street, was taken in April, 1927, and the shift to the commodious and suitable room now occupied by the club in Allbell Chambers, Stuart street, was made in March, 1930,

One of the most enjoyable annual functions of the Otago Chess Club in years gone by were the picnics. These were well patronised by all the members and their_ lady friends. Suitable spots surrounding Dunedin were selected for these gatherings, which, given fine weather, were always a success. It is to be hoped that the present com-

short speeches Mr O. Balk, vice-presi-dent, presented His Excellency with a silver key _ suitably inscribed, which would admit him to the club at any time. In making the presentation Mr Balk said that' among the welcomes Lord Ranfurly had received throughout the colony none were more sincere than those from the Otago Chess Club, for the one object of chess playing was the successful defence of the King. On May 16, 1903, the habitues of the club were surprised with a visit from His Excellency the Governor. There were

mittee ivill be able to reorganise these outings, which in bygone years did so much to conserve the sociability of the club.

ated by all the members. They had their own room, to which male members were admitted on sufferance, but not allowed to smoke. Eectures and blindfold and simultaneous play were often carried on in the rooms, and usually drew good attendances. On one occasion, when a social was being held to bid farewell to Mr F. V. Siedeberg, who was leaving the colony, Dr Stenhouso presided, and he solemnly told those present that as a medical man lie was sure if Mr Siedcberg’s brain was examined there would ba found layers of chess boards in it. Messrs Balk and Cleland were the principal lecturers, the former giving interesting information on more than one occasion concerning Japanese and Indian chess.

In 192-1 the Serbian chess master, Boris Kostich, payed a visit to the dominion, visiting all the principal centres, giving lectures and exhibitions of simultaneous chess, lie arrived in Dunedin on July 29, and during his stay hero was the guest of Mr O. Balk. On his first evening he was accorded a hearty welcome at a social evening arranged in his honour. Mr Balk, the then president of the club, introduced the guest and said that never in the history of Dunedin had they had the pleasure of welcoming such a noted, player as M. Kostich. Speeches of welcome were made by His Worship the Mayor (Mill. L. Taploy), Messrs W. J. Morrell, J. 11. J' 1 . Hamel, and D. H. Hastings. After thanking them for their kind welcome M. Kostich played twelve games simultaneously, winning eleven and drawing one, the player to secure a draw being Mr A. W. O. Davies, who three times held the championship of the club. The next day the distinguished chess visitor was taken to Taieri Mouth, and in the evening gave a lecture and another

exhibition of simultaneous chess, -winning all his games. One of the incidents worth recording in the Liverpool street days was when Lord Ranfurly, then Governor of New Zealand, paid a visit to the Otago Chess Club. His Excellency was in Dunedin officially attending the Otago Provincial Jubilee, and on March 2§, 1898, was the guest of the Otago Chess Club at its rooms. Punctually at 3 p.m. His Excellency arrived and was received by Mr Justice Denniston on behalf of the club. After one or two

Seven dominion chess congresses have been held in Dunedin under the auspices of the Otago Chess Club since 1888. Tho first one, held during the currency of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition of 1889-90, attracted only five competitors and was won by H. Hookham. In 1923-24 Joe Edwards, tho well-known Dunedin player, beat ten opponents. In 1898 there were only five competitors, and It. A. Cleland never lost a game; in 1902-03 five competitors, and C. J. Grier, of Auckland, won; in 1908-09 nine players, winner Fedor K. Kclling; 1920-21, eight competitors, J. B. Dunlop winner; Exhibition -congress in 1925-26, eighteen competitors, and Spencer Crakanthorpe, of Sydney, N.S.W., won; this year twelve competitors, J. B. Dunlop, a past champion of the Otago Chess Club and an exNew Zealand champion, won. Mr Dunlop, who is undoubtedly one of the strongest players in Australlasia, has done much to raise tho standard of play in the club. ’ Since 1922 the Otago Chess Club has regularly competed for the club championship of the dominion, the games being played by telegraph, but has only won it twice, in 1928 and in 1932. Tho North Island has provided the champion club nine times in eleven years. Matches with the Oamaru Chess Club have been more or less regularly played every year since 1894. At first they were played at Palmerston, but latterly at Oamaru, and the annual excursion to tho White City in the spring is always a pleasant and enjoyable outing. The first game was played at Palmerston on November 9, 1894, the scores being Oamaru 9i, Otago BJ. The following are the names of the Otago Club’s team on that occasion:—J. Edwards, R. A. Cleland, J. Mouat, W. T. Grinsted, M. Friedlander, W. A. Sim (afterwards His Honour Sir William Sim), L. Warsaw, B._ Throp, H. *J. Cleland, and D. H. Hastings. The following are the office-bearers of the jubilee year (1934-35) :—Patron, O.' Balk; president, D. Harris Hastings ; vice-presidents, J. Crow and J. J. Marlow; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Herbert; committee—G. D. Wright, J. S. M. Lawson, W. Lang, E. F. Evans, and A. M'Lean; auditor, T. M. Gillies.

In concluding this summary of the doings of the Otago Chess Club for the last fifty years I would like to apologise for many omissions. It is more than likely that many of the old stalwarts have not been mentioned, but if so it has been through oversight and not intentional. There are many phases of the work done by the club in the interests of the King of indoor games that might have been mentioned, but regard had to bo paid to space requirements. As one who has been very closely connected with the club, its members, and its activities, I would like to pay a tribute to all the members with whom I have been associated. Never to my knowledge has there been any .serious dispute within the walls of the club. Differences, of course, have existed, but they were all settled amicably, and I candidly believe that the Otago Chess Club has been a power of good for the community and also of service to the generation or generations that have dwelt in Dunedin since 1884. I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to the ‘ Congress Bookj 1922,’ edited by Mr Fedor K. Kellmg, and to the scrap books lent by Mr O. Balk for a great deal of the foregoing information.

only two or three players present, amongst them being Mr J. A. Millar, M.H.R., who at once arose and welcomed His Excellency. 'Lord Ranfurly, thanking Mr Millar for his welcome, said that some years ago he was presented with a silver key to admit him to the club at any time, and he had taken advantage of his present shoi't sojourn in the city to pay a visit and utilise the key, which otherwise might become rusty. (Laughter.) The lady members of the club were quite a strong body when it had its rooms in Liverpool street. Mrs Mouat was the leader, and the other names that I can recall are the Misses Siedeberg (2), Sutherland, Duncan, Meyer, Do Salamos, Matheson, Lawrence, Martin, Dow, Graham, and Columb. In their ranks were some strong players, and their presence was greatly appreci-

Since the above was in type it was noticed that no mention had been made of the late Mr G. S. M'Dermid, the poet laureate of the club for some years. Mr M'Dermid, who joined the club in the early ’nineties, left Dunedin for some time after the war broke out, rejoined as soon as he returned to this city. He was an exceptionally useful and hard-working member, serving on the committee for a number of years, and a constant attendant. His son, “ Ronny,” who filled the office of president in 1892, is a prominent member of the club and one of its strongest players.

PAST PRESIDENTS The following are the lists of the past presidents and club champions: —

SENIOR CHAMPIONS

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

1884—E. C. Quick 1909—J. J, Marlow 1885—E. C. Quick 1910—A. Ellis 1888 — H. C. Quick 1911—F. J. Mowat 1887—E. C. Quick 1912—H. J. Armstrong 1888—C. S. Reeves 1913—Archdeacon uoulu 1883—C. S. Reeves 1914—P, M'Launn 1890—Dr W. M. Stcn1915—D. Harris Hasthouee ings 1891—Dr W. M. Sten1916—L. D. Coombs house 1917—W. , H. Allen 1892—Dr VV. M. Sten1918—R. A. Clelland house 1919—H. H. Henderson 1893—Dr W. M. Sten1920—Rev, N. Friberg house 1921—T. M. Gillies 1894—R. A. Cieland 1922—T. M. Gillies 1895—W. Elder 1923—R. J, Penrose 1896—H. J. Cieland 1924—0. Balk 1897—Canon King , 1925—0. Balk 1898—0. Balk 1926—J. S. M. Lawson 1899—J. Edwards 1927—S. S. Meyers 1900 —A. R. Barclay 1928—L. D. Grigg 1001—L. Warsaw 1929—Rev. Dr Mernng1902—]. T. Johnstone ton 1903-J. Crow 1930—Dr G. Barnett 1004—J. Stone 1931—W. , Herbert 1903—A. Chodowsk! 1933—R. S. M'Dermid 1906—S. S. Meyers 1933—J. A. M“Dermot 1907—J. H. F. Hamel 1934—D. Harris Hast1908—G. D. Wright ings

1896—R. A. Cleland 1915—H. j. Armstrong 1897—R. A. Cleland 1916—H. j. Armstrong 1898—H. Lyders 1917—R. A. Cleland 1899—0. Balk 1918—L. I). Coombs 1900—J. Edwards 1919—L. D. Coombs - 1901—1'. VV. Claylon 1920—A. W. O, Davies 1902—D. Forsyth 1921—A. W. O. Davies 1903—0. Balk 1932—A. W. O. Davies 1904—D. Forsyth 1923—\V. G. Stcnhouse 1905—1). Forsyth 1924—A. \V. O. Davies 1906—H. Mellor 1925—B. W. , Stenhouse 1907—D. Forsyth 192G—Not awarded 1908—G. F. Dodds 1937—R. M*Dcrmid 1909—R. A. Cleland 1928—0. Balk 1910—J. Dunlop 1929—W. G, , Stenhouse 1911—R. A. Cleland 1030— L. D. Coombs 1912— H. J. Armstrong 1931—L. D. Coombs 1913—0. Balk 1032—R. S, Watt 1914—H. J. Armstrong 1983—R. s. Watt

1902—Jas. Lang 1918 —Rev. N. Fribcrg 1903—G. L. Barclay 1019—C. H, Black 1901—G. D. Wright 1920—H. H. Henderson 1905—S. S. Myers. 1921—J. S. Bolting 1900—G. F. Dodds 1922-11. \V. Allen 1907—J. J. Marlow 1923—B. W. Sicnbousc 1908—H. J. Armstrong 1921— I.. IX Grlgg 1909—J. B. Dunloj) 1925—N. Barclay 1910—A. R. Barclay 1920—K. M'Oennid 1911—J. A. Boreham 1927—W. G. Gale 1912—John Lang 1928—K. S. Watt 1913—J. A. Murphy 1929—R. M. Hanning 1914—L. D. Coombs 1930—A. J. M'Dcrmotl 1913—D. L. Bruton 1931—A. M'Lcan 1916—A E. B. Ward 1932—C. M. Ellis 1917—W. G. Stenhouso 1933—W. , Lang