CHESS AND DRAUGHTS CLUB.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1255, 26 April 1880, Page 2

CHESS AND DRAUGHTS CLUB.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMARU MAIL. Sir, —I quite agree with your corre- [ spondent " Old Chessboard" in his very pertinent remarks anent chess. I was for a considerable period an active member of the Melbourne Chess and Draughts Qlub, and have a very lively memory of many a pleasant hour passed in various en-, counters. This olub at first consisted of a few enthiwi&sts i it now has on its lengthy soroll hundreds of members drawn from almost syll classes of the community, and includes many very skilful players. The cheis tournaments between Victoria and New South Wales cause most intense interest to be exhibited by the partisans of those colonies, and undoubtedly asgist most beneficially in inducing that entente cordial# which la moat desirable between

water colonies. Should a Cbees and Draughts Club be formed in Oamara, I foel certain thai at least five of our local obyers coald be got to do battle creditably any five chess players either in punedin, Christchurch, Wellington, or What 1 now suggest is that some local chess player should call a meeting to form a club, appoint a committee, arrange for a place of meeting, draw op rales, and set work. Many of oar young players merely require a little furbishing up inl order to become more than average players; and if the club would admit ladies, we might yet emulate the Oxford Club in its tournament, when handsome trophies are competed for with no little skill by its lady members. It is admitted everywhere that the study of che33 contributes largely to the deof camaraderie, and, lite cricket, ci be contested by peasant and neer without producing any undue familiarity. I could enlarge on the delightful subject of chess until further orders, but, jlrv Editor, your space being valuable, I oust perforce close this letter. Personally I shall be most happy to assist in every way in founding in Oamara a chess and draughts club. —I am, &c., Gambit.