THE CHESS HANDICAP TOURNAMENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 992, 4 December 1879, Page 3

THE CHESS HANDICAP TOURNAMENT.

At a meeting of the competitors in the chess handicap tournament, held at Rugg’s Hotel on Tuesday evening last, the following Rules were adopted for the conduct of the tourney ; 1. Every competitor to play every other competitor one game at the odds specified for their respective classes in the Scale of Odds. Drawn games to count as half a game to each player. 2. The games must ho played at the Reading Room of the Literary Institute, Seddon street, Kumara (which has been kindly sanctioned by the Committee of the Institute). But players may mutually agree to play elsewhere, when convenient to both parties. 3. In all cases not specified in the Scale of Odds, the first move shall be drawn for. The player moving first shall play with the White pieces. 4. The maximum time to be allowed each player for making his moves shall be two hours for 30 moves ; any time saved to be carried over to his credit. Before commencing the game, however, the players may agree to dispense with this rule. 5. The games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Chess, the Regulations for Playing, and the Rules for Playing the dame at Odds, as given in “ Staimton’s Chess Praxis,” excepting wherein these rules otherwise provide. C. In any case where the players cannot agree Upon or neglect to make the nc.es-

sary arrangements as above (in Rule 2), the Committee shall fix a time for commencing play, and notify the same to the players. 7. If a Competitor fail to attend within half-an-hour of the time appointed for his commencing play, he shall forfeit the game to his opponent, unless an excuse to the satisfaction of the Committee be made within a reasonable time, 8. If a game shall have lasted four hours, either player may adjourn at pleasure. 9. The winners of the largest number of games to be the winners of the three prizes, according to their respective aggre* gate scores. In the event of a tie between either of the highest scorers, one game shall be played at the odds of their respective handicap. 10. All games remaining unfinished or unplayed will be counted as draws, and dealt with as such. 11. Any matter not provided for in the foregoing Rules shall be adjudicated on by the Committee, whose decision shall in all cases be final. The following is the Scale of Odds referred to above, to bo given by the various classes : : Class I. will give to Class 11. a Pawn (King’s Bishop’s Pawn) and the first move ; to Class 111. a Knight (the Queen’s Knight); to Class IY. a Rook (the Queen’s Rook); to Class Y. a Rook (the Queen’s Rook) and the first two moves ; and to Class VI. a Queen. Class 11. will give to Class 111. a Pawn and the first move ; to Class IV, a Knight; to Class V. a Rook; and to Class VI. a Rook and the first two moves. Class 111. will give to Class IV. a Pawn and the first move ; to Class V. a Knight; and to Class VI. a Rook. Class IV. will give to Class V. a Pawn and the first move; and to Class VI. a Knight. Class V. will give to Class VI. a Pawn and the first move. The pieces to be given in each case are more particularly described in the first paragraph in the Seale of Odds. The following is a complete list of the competitors who have accepted the handicap ; Class I.—Messrs Janion and Palmer. Class 11. Messrs Ball, Ballantyne, Bent, Gill, Petrie, Rev. E. A. Scott, Mr Wiesner. Class lll.—Messrs Connell, Horneman, Johnson, Morgan, Pierson, Rigby, Toms, Wylde. Class IV. Messrs Barnett, Hope, Kennedy, Thorne. Class V.—Messrs Bell, Brooks, Everett. Class Vl.—Messrs Dennett, Matheson, M‘Kenzie, Moss. Several games have now been played, and the tourney, which will probably last over two months, may now be said to have fairly commenced. The prizes are to be of the value of three, two, and one guineas.