CHESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 71, 6 January 1936, Page 6

CHESS.

PURDY WINS FIRST PRIZE. TITLE GOES TO A. W. GYLES. WELLINGTON, This Day. In the New Zealand chess championship tournament Purdy (Tasmania), with 12 points, won first prize, and A. W. Gyles gained second place with 11 points. The third and other prize positions are still in doubt, as several of the games are unfinished. _ Mr Purdy, although winning first prize in

the tournament, does not win the championship, which can be won only by a New Zealander. The honour of the next 12 months of custody of the "silver rcok" and title of champion falls therefore upon Gyles, who won first place among t}ie competing New Zealanders. Mr Gyles is an accountant in the Government service in Wellington. He thus wins his second championship, in New Zealand chess, the first occasion having been in 1920-21 at Rotorua, when he beat J. A. Erskine in the play-off. • For the minor tournament the first prize goes to R. Watt (Dunedin), the second to H. L. Hardy (Wellington), and the third to W. J. Fairburn (Gisborne). . Among the ladies Mrs Abbott (Christchurch) was first, and Mrs Short (Auckland) second.