CHESS MASTER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 7, 23 January 1937, Page 2

CHESS MASTER

Mr Lajos Steiner to Visit Dominion Mr, J. O. McCrea, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Chess Association, has received advice from Australia that Mr. Lajos Steiner, the Hungarian champion, will commence hig New Zealand tour about the middle of March, and is willing to spend. more than a month in the Dominion if by so doing he can help the cause of chees in some of the smailef centreg. At present he ia only booked for Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland, and probably Rotorua. As, however, Mr. Steiner is a stronger player than Mr/. Kostick, the Serbian master who toured New Zealand in 1924, and his terma are unexpectedly reasonable it is hoped that other affiliated clubs will not miss the opportunity of securing a visit from him. He has just won first prixe (£45) at the Australi&n Congresa, which was concluded at Perth on Tuesday He spored the possible (11 points), while Messrs Purdy, Kosh'uitsky," Goldstein, and Hastings tied for second place with 7} points each. These four joint run-ners-up will presumably have to play off for the Australian title, which ia at present held by Purdy, and which cannot be won by an. overseas competitor. Mr. Steiner, was born at Grosswarden, Hungary, in 1903. He acquired the title of master in 1922, when only 19 years old. His later suceesses were as follows :— 1924, won tho championship of Saxony; 1927, second to Alekhine in Kecskemet tourneyj 1929, second to Alekhine at Bradley Beach, U.S. A. ; 1931, won championship of Hungary, one of the highest national chess titles in the world; 1933, tied second in big Mahrisch-Ostran tourney ; 1934, tied first in international tourney at Maribor; 1935, tied first in tourney for championship of Austria. Mr. Steiner has a good command of English, and his instructive lectures have been greatly appreciated in Australia. He has endeared hiipself tp Australian enthusiasts, who have found in him a thorough sportsman and modest. gentleman. It is anticipated arrangements will be made for Mr. Steiner to visit the Hawke's Bay clubs during his- visit to New Zealand.