THE CHESS TOURNEY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9307, 7 January 1896, Page 6

THE CHESS TOURNEY.

(PBKSS ASSOCIATION TELEQBAM.) WANGANUI, January 6. Hookham v Mack ay (ttuy Lopez)—A great deal of interest was shown ia this game, Mr Hookham having to either win or tio with Mackay to get second, Mr Pleasants having drawn hie game. White, however, made a blunder on his 21st move,, thereby losiug a piece, aud, ia cousequencj, had to resign aud take thiril placo iv the Championship. Pleasants v Andoreen (Queen's gambit declined). This was another game which the public was interested in, but on the 42nd move the players agreed to draw, and ao Mr Pleasant a goo 8£ points and second place. Mouat v Meldrum (Giuoco Piano). Anotner good yame, but as Mr Meldrum only had to draw to get the coveted first it- d:d not secure as much attention as the others. White resigned .on the 36th move. Mr Meldrum getting 10 points aud the championship. The following are the linal scores for the Championship:—Meldrum, first prize and Championship, 10 points ; JfJeasams, second, 8£ poiuts; Hookham, third, 3 points ; liarnea, 8: Auderseu, 7£ ; Alnua-s, ; Mackay, 7£; Lelievre, 7£ ; Po.ircs, t>; Cocks, 5£ ; Sexton, 5; jrfatherley, 4£; Edwards, 3£; Remingum, 2. I& will be noticed that Messrs Hookham aud Barnes tied for third place. But as the latter had left for Wellington, aud wa3 not here wheu called on to play, the prize was awarded to Mr Hookham.

The following is a brief che39 autobiography of the winners. Mr Meldrum, who wins the championship, learned the gatno as a boy, bub has nob .taken part in match play until tho formalion of the Rangitikei 'Jness Clab. some three years ago. Since then he has played for hie Club at almost all their matches, and generally with success. During the last two years he has held the Club championship, in both years winniug without suffering a defeat. Hβ imputes his present success to avoiding practising too much with opponents over the board ; performing as practice the careful aualysiy of ga:ne.j by recognised masters. The present is his first try for championship honours. Mr Meldrum has for tha past four ye*rs practised as a barrister and solicitor at Huutervilie. Mr Pleasauts, who takes the second prize, learned the moves of the game about eight years ago, but did not take active interest in the chess world until the last two years. Since then, however, he hai played in the two previous champion tourneys, and improved his position every year. He was born in London, and is now twenty-four years of age. The third prizswinner, Mr Hookham, who is well-known to all chess players, is an ardent lover of the game, and an ex-champion. Mr Uookhain also edits the chess columns of the Canterbury Times. We must congratulate the Kaogitikei C:ub on having such a fine record from among its players.