ROTORUA CHESS CLUB

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 201, 18 April 1932, Page 6

ROTORUA CHESS CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING Members of the Rotorua Chess Club, held their annual general meeting on Friday evening at the Dolly Varden, and judging by the large attendance they are ready for the opening of the new season. ' In the absence of the president, Mr. S. L. Paterson, Mr. L. Anderson, vicepresident, was voted to the chair. The following report was submitted; "The committee has much pleasure in j presenting the third annual report. I The club began the 1931 season with a membership of 31, six new members being admitted. The effects of the holding of the New Zealand -Chess Congress for 1930-31' at Rotorua were obvious in the new membership, the keenness of members and park'cularly in the greatly improved standard of play. "With a view to promoting fhrther interest in the games, the committee arranged club handicaps and championship tournaments. Most interest was taken in the handicap tourney, very few games being played in the championship. "Messrs. Burton and the Rev. W. H. Speer each won an equal numb'er of games in the handicap and the match committee ruled that the winner should be decided by means of a play-off. This will be carried out during the coming season. "During the year the club played a 14-board telegraphic match with a strong Te Aroha team, which resulted in a draw. It is interesting to note that this was the only telegraphic chess match played in New Zealand during 1931.

"On his return from the Napier Congress, Mr. J. S. Purdy, of Sydney, editor of the Australian Chess Revi-ew, and runner-up at the last Austrakan Congress, gave an exhibition of simultaneous play against members of the club and visitors, winning 12 games out of 17, drawing four and losing one. The thanks of the club' are due to Mr. Purdy for his exhibition. The club would also like to thank Messrs. Booth and Roland for their offer, which was accepted, with regard to an additional weekly meeting. The executive officers elected for the ensuing year ara as follows: — Patron, Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P.; president, Mr. L. Andrews; vice-pre sidents, Messrs. S. L. Paterson, S.M., H. H. Fraer, M. Roland, W. J. Kurney; hon. sec. and treasurer, Mr. A. W. Shaw; committee, Messrs. J. H. Watson, Rev. W. H. Speer, J. Burton, H. L. Musgrave, W. L. Richards; club captain, Mr. W. J. Kurney; match committee, Messrs. L. E. Andrews, M. Roland, A. H. Fraer; club organisers, Messrs. M. Roland and A. H. Fraer; club delegate to New Zealand Chess Association, Mr. F. K. Kelling, Wellington; hon. auditor, Mr. A. H. Fraer. The following new members were ledted: — Messrs A. W. R. Saxby, R. G. Webb, F. J. Lenihan, L. Clarke, H. Hardcastle, W. Bell, H. Johnson, W. H. Evans. It was decided to hold a weekly meeting in the Citizens' Club on Frdays at 7.30 p.m. The first meeting will be held next Friday, when a presidsnt's. versus'captain's teams match will be played.