CHESS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1095, 3 April 1880, Page 3

CHESS.

PRESENTATION OF THE PRIZES. A pleasant and social meeting of chessplayers took place at Rugg's Hotel, on Thursday evening, on the occasion of the presentation of the prizes to the successful competitors in the late handicap chess tournament. Mr C. Janion occupied the chair, and MrW. C. Palmer the vice-chair. About twenty persons sat down to the repast, and, after doing ample justice to the good things provided, Mr Janion formally announced the result of the tournament, as follows : Mr A. R. Petrie had scored most games, viz., 24 (out of a possible 28), and would therefore take the first prize; Mr Ball scored 22£, second prize; and the Rev. Mr Scott 22," winning third prize. The first prize consisted of a handsome medium-sized set of Staunton chessmen, a chess-board, and a book entitled " The Laws and Practice of Chess." The second prize was one of the value of two guineas, specially chosen by the winner, Mr Ball. The third prize consisted of an elegantly-printed and bound book, "The Chessplayer's Manual," and also a chessboard.

In presenting the prizes Mr Janion congratulated the prize-takers on the success that had attended their efforts. He remarked on the friendly feeling existing between chess-players in this district, evidence of which was afforded by the large attendance of players that evening. He explained the causes of the delay in the presentation of the prizes ; and further remarked, that care and skill were both requisite in playing chess, and care often won many games in spite of skill. He also read an extract from the speech of Judge Kenny at Napier (on the occasion of the presentation of the prizes in the late toiri-hament there), who stated that so highly was chess thought of in Germany, that in the colleges a candidate for degrees had the option of being examined in chess in place of mathematics.

_ The recipients of the prizes, who, on rising were greeted with hearty applause, each acknowledged the presentation in suitable terms.

Mr Ball then proposed the health of Mr Janion, saying that he had done - much to forward and encourage the game of chess in this and other districts of the Colony. In responding, Mr Janion gave an interesting sketch of the history of chess in New Zealand.

The following toasts were also proposed and responded to:—"The prize winners;" "The handicappers" (Messrs Palmer, Smart, and Janion). '' The rising young players, coupled with the name of Mr R. M'Kenzie ;" "The old campaigners, coupled with the names of Messrs Palmer and Wiesner ;" " Chess ;" and " The two players from the Grey County then present—Messrs Eigby and Hope."

Mr Hope favored the company with a song, " All that glitters is not gold." Mr Janion then spoke of the eccentricities of chess, alluding to some amusing mistakes that had been made in the course of the tournament just completed, one of which was that so restless and excited was a certain player in his game that he, accidentally, pushed one of his opponent's pieces (a rook) off the board; yet, even with this great loss, his opponent, who was so engrossed with his fine attack on the other side of the board, failed to" notice the loss, and won the game notwithing. Mr. Janion suggested, that in the event of another tournament taking place it should be on the principle of one held in Dunedin—each player to p]&y one or more games with every other player in his own class, and the players who win most games in their respective'classes to then play off, as handicapped, for the pi'ize or prizes.

This idea took so well that it was immediately decided to dissolve the social and those present to constitute another meeting for business purposes. On the motion of Mr Pierson, seconded by Mr Moss, it was resolved to hold a tournament on the principle advised by Messrs Janion and Palmer ; and a committee of five were appointed to receive nominations up to the 10th April. The committee are Messrs Palmer, R. M'Kenzie, Wiesner, Petrie, jncl Janion. Messrs Palmer, Smart, and Janion were re-appointed handicappers. Nominations were fixed at 25., and acceptances at 3s. The meeting then adjourned, a most enjoyable evening having been spent by those present.

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