NEW ZEALAND CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1715, 19 August 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

A meeting of the competitors was held last evening, at Bellamy's Room, Provincial Buildings, to arrange as to this contest, which will commence there this evening, at 7.30. Present —Mr J. C. Veel, in the chair, Messrs Hay (Dunedin), Janion (West Coast), the Rev. R. Ash (Clyde), Hookham, Jacobsen, and R. Bray (Christchurch), Mr Newman being temporarily absent. The club was represented by Messrs Pinkstone, Dr. Ellis, Grinsted, Horwood, and E. S. Bray. Mr Jacobsen read letters of excuse from Messrs Lusk (Auckland) and Benbow (Wellington), the latter gentleman's letter ending in a challenge to play the winner of the present championship at a more convenient time. The following is a synopsis of the principal conditions, &0., under which the tourney is played:—Each player shall play every other player two games ; shall play, at least, one game per day at one sitting, play commencing each evening at 7.30. Arrangements, however, are made to play in the day-time as well. Drawn games and games left unplayed by competitors will be scored as half games, and each player to play fifteen moves per hour, otherwise lose the game. Members of the Ohristchuroh Chess Club will lend their assistance in taking down the games and time taken in play. The public will be admitted. The following resolutions were then passed :—" That Mr Veel not being able to play the first two days be allowed to arrange to play at a future date during the tourney." For this concession Mr Veel returned thanks. "That no smoking be allowed during play." Messrs Pinkßtone, Mainwaring, Grinsted, Horwood, and Dr. Ellis were elected umpires, and all disputes are to be decided by them. Mr Jacobsen wished the meeting to express their feelings on the subject of Mr Benbow's challenge, and said he considered Mr Benbow should not have entered the lists, and when the day of battle came hare sounded a trumpet and cry, " I will fight another day," besides it was to be decided now who was the champion. . Messrs Ash and Janion considered they had overcome greater obstacles than prevented Mr Benbow, and pitied Wellington for their champion. Mr Pinkstone thought tho absent were always wrong, and, though he could not say much for Mr Benbow, hoped the meeting would not express itself too strongly. Resolved—" That Mr Benbow's letter be considered not received." A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. A dinner will be given to the players on September Ist, when the prize will be given if the tourney is finished by that date.