INTERPROVINCIAL CHESS MATCH.

The Canterbury Chess Club has again sustained the reputation of the province by beatine the Otago Chess Club by the substantial score of six to two. The contest was continued at seven o clock on Saturday evening, and it must have been gratifying to those concerned that all the games were finished during the evening, and none left for adjudication. The victory might have been a greater one had it not been for the fact that Mr Acton-Adams was confined to his bed through illness, and was therefore unable to play. He had a decided advantage at the adjournment the previous evening, and seemed pretty confident that he could win. However, after consultatioa between "the two captains it was decided to annul the game. That the match has been an enjoyable one for the local players every one agrees. Possibly the Otago men may not look on it with the same pleasurable feelings, for they have good cause to " sadly ponder o'er what might have been." They certainly had the worst of that element of luck which takes a part in contests of almost every kind. Some of the mistakes made by the Southerners were terrible blunders, but those who are not inclined to give our players credit for their victory must also remember that a player's ability to play through an important match game without making blunders decides his superiority over one who has not the same merit. The Otago men have shown themselves to be good exponents of the noble game, and had it not been for their losing two games which it was in their power at one time to win, the match would have been very exciting. The fact that not one of the local players made any serious oversight snows what a consistently good team it is, and any Club in New Zealand desirous of putting them through will have to put a strong team in the neld. The match did not take a very exciting turn on Saturday evening, as the result was almost a foregone conclusion. However, there was a large number of spectators present, the room being well tilled. The first game to terminate was at Board 4, where Mr Searell, with an overwhelming advantage, pushed his game on and, never giving the Otago player a chance to retrieve himself, added another victory for Christchurch on the 57th move. Quickly following this came the welcome message from Mr Mouat " Resign " to the veteran Mr Hookham. The latter, with a pawn to the good, had rapidly pushed it on to queen. Mr Mouat attempted to do the same, and an exciting finish resulted in the Southerner lowering his colors, exactly the same number of moves being made as at; board 4. It was now Otago's turn to win a game. The game ac board 5 had assumed a very open and exciting turn. Mr Throp's first move exposed him to a very strong attack. Mr Cant might have immediately won the exchange, but thinking he could do better went in for an attack, which proved useless. After this the Southerner gave his adversary no quarter, and forcing exchanges, and winning two more pawns, soon had the game in hand, and won oh the 44th move. Mr Kennedy's game came to a conclusion about the same time by being drawn. He had had a pawn to the good, but was unable to retain it, and each player being left with knight and pawn, the game was drawn. The only games now in progress were those at boards 3 and 10. At the latter Mr Milner, though having two pawns to the good, had a most critical game to play. However, he was equal to the occasion, and quickly getting three formidable looking passed pawns, hi? opponent resigned on the 60th move. A few minutes' later Mr Bauer ended the match by winning the last game. Great interest had been taken in this game, and the young Austrian's play had been watched with critical eyes. On resuming, Mr Bauer's pawn advantage was sooa increased by his opponent giving up a bishop for a pawn. This was weak compared with Mr Siedbere's previous play. The Christchurch man improved his position, and threatening to gain another pawn his adversary resigned at eleven o'clock, the message being received with vociferous cheering at the Canterbury end. Final score—Canterbury 6, Otago 2, with one game drawn and one annulled. Mr Hawley again officiated at the instrument in a most satisfactory manner. During the three nights 930 moves have been transmitted, -. besides numerous messages. Messrs H. Adams and H. T. Johnson again checked the moves without a sinele error. The former gentleman, indeed, rendered valuable assistance throughout the match by also assisting in the carrying out of the arrangements. - As on previous occasions theKieseritzky notation showed what a great improvement it is on the old method of sending the moves, not a mistake being made. As showing the flourishing state of chess in Christchurch, and the interest taken in the match, it may be mentioned that during its progress several gentlemen gave in their names for election as members of the local club. The following is the final score in the match: — Bd. OTAGO. CANTERBURY. 1 Dr. Stenhouse 0 Mr A. M. Ollivier 1 2Mr Mouat ... 0 Mr H. Hookham... 1 3Mr Siedberg 0 Mr H. J. Bauer ... 1 4MrClegg ... 0 Mr K. T. Searell ... 1 5 Mr Throp ... 1 Mr A. Cant ... 0 6Mr Duret ... 1 Mr A. L. Smith ... 0 7 Mr Angus ... * Mr Acton-Adams BMr Irwin ... 0 Mr J. G. L. Scott 1 9Mr Mander... t Mr J. S. Kennedy 10 Mr Carroll ... 0 Mr J. J. Mliner ... 1 2 ~6 • Annulled. + Drawn.