CHESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 August 1926, Page 12

CHESS.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

THE ANNUAL MEETDfG. At the 27th annual general meeting of the Ke-sr Zealand Chsss Association, held in Wellington, the annual report stated that only seventeen clubs were now affiliated, as the Timara Chess Club had eeas-ed to exist and the Auckland Working-men's Club had withdrawn from membership. Chess clubs have recently been formed at Whangarei, Tauranga, Hastings. Have lock (H-B.i, Dannevirke and Wadestown, and it is hoped that some of these will soon join the association, thereby patting it in a stronger position. After reviewing the contests for last years championship, which wa« won for a second time by Mr. S. Crakanthorpe. of Sydney, the report tendered congratulations to him on also winning tbe Australian championship, as well as the following-. Mr. C. J. S. Purdy, ex-cham-pion, on tailng third prize at the Sydney Congress; Mr. F. S. formerly a prominent Auckland competitor at our Kew .Zealand congresses, on winning the championship of Victoria; the Auckland Chess Club, on winning the dnb championship of the Dominion in last years series of matches by telegraph; and Mr. John Mason. M.P-, who was tie New Zealand chess champion in 1910. on his election to Parliament. Among tbe obituaries of the past year are mentioned Messrs. Michael Connolly and H. B. Williamson, of Ancklaad. The report continues that at tbe conclusion of tbe Dunedin congress it was pointed ont that it would have been better to have divided the IS competitors into three sections of gix. thereby allowing twelve players to take part in the finals instead of eight, without lengthening tbe duration of the contest. The principle contained in this valuable

suggestion has been noted for use in case xi should on ant- future occasion be necessary to resort to section play in order to* keep faith with affiliated clubs, etc

During the & supply of chessdocks has been obtained from England with the fund that has been gradually built np for several years past. The association placed on record its grateful thanks to the Wellington Chess Club for lending its clocks in the past. • The election of officers resulted a* Patron, his Excellency the Governor-General; president, Mr. E. HAbbott i Auckland i: vice-presidents. North Island, upper division, Messrs. H. H. Smith (Auckland:. A. Schlichting iGisbornei and the nominee to be chosen by tbe Hamilton Chess dab: lower division. Messrs. W. Mackay (Wellington). F. Kummer (Wairarapal and O. C. Pleasants (Wanganuii: South Island, upper division. Messrs. H. J. Quarrell and H. L. Anderson (both of Chrisichurchi, and B. Trathen (Xelsonj; lower division. Messrs. J. S. M. Lawson and O. Balk (both of Dunedin), and the nominee to be chosen by the Oamam Chess Club; honorary secretary, Mr. C. W. Tanner: honorary treasurer, Mr. A. W. Gyles; honorary auditor, Mr. F. J. Brooker: honorary reporter. Mr. F. K_ Selling.

The next tonraey to decide tbe championship of the Dominion is to be held in Auckland, play commencing on or about December 27. Entries close on December 1. As Mr. P. Summer's br3liancy prize was not awarded at the Dunedin congress it will be available for the coming Auckland congress.