CHESS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 11, 8 October 1917, Page 6

CHESS

THE WELLINGTON CLUB. Good progress is being mads in- the Wellington ( Chess Club's annual handicap tourney for the Petherick trophy and other prizes. The best score to date is that of E. S. Taylor, viz., 6 wins 1 draw and no losses, while three games i require a second sitting, each having been' adjourned in an even state. Tho next best tallies are:—Barnes, 6 wins, 2 losses; S. Mackay, 7—3; I'lU'chas, 5—3; Hughes, Fnulknor, 6—4; Clutten, 41 —; and .T. A. Connell, 3i—3k Mr. Connell will, it is understood, shortly be leaving to take up an appointment in Greymouth, and he will therefore bo unable to complete his fixtures. Great interest is being taken by members in the ladder match for the'championship of the club (rung 1), between Messrs. E. J. Barnes (defender) and W. E. Mason (challenger). The first game was scored by Mr. Barnes in 26 moves. The second game stands adjourned, the forces being equal, but Mr. Barnes appears to have the preferable position. A number of other ladder matches are in progress. The best "ladder" performance to date is that of S. Faulknor, who has gained three rungs (20, 13, and 18), in quick succession. His challenge for rung 17 will apply to the loser of the Taylor v. S. Mackay contest, for rung 1 16 (in which each player has scored 1 win). The continued popularity of the ladder competitions is a very gratifying feature of the present season.

WORKING MEN'S CLUB. The leaders in this club's annual handicap chess tourney are now as follows i— Barnes, 1 wins, no losses; Greig. B—2; Faulknor, 7—3; Douglas. 45—21; Eton, 4—2; and Hennessey, 4—3. As Mr. Barnes only lias one more game to play, he is sure of the first prize, and holds tho Staples Cup for the ensuing year. The winners of this trophy have been as follows:—ft. J. Barnes, 1899; 1901 and 1917, W. Brown, 1902; F. K. Kellmg, 1898, 1900, arid 1903; H. Douglas, 1916. Mr. Brown, the 1902 winner, who is now 79 years of age, recently left this city to settle in Sydney. The wins of . Mr. Barnes are the most meritorious, being the only ones obtained from the scratch The trophy was won outright in'l9o3, and restored to the club in 1916, which explains why it was not competed for in the intervening years. Mr. Barnes is to be congratulated on adding one more triumph to his formidable and ever-grow-tng list of successes.

WELLINGTON SOUTH CLUB. The contest for the third prize in this club's annual handicap tourney has been narrowed down to Messrs. Purchas and Harper. (The first and second Di'izes have been won by Messrs. G. P. Anderson and H. Welton respectively, as already recorded.) The return match against the Ngnio Club js set down for decision at the Newtown Public Library next Saturday evening. On the following Saturday the club is sending a team of some twelve or fourteen players to Masterton, to repay a visit due to the local club. The first round is to be played 011 Saturday evening (20th instant), and the second round on the Monday morning (Labour Day), the team returning to Wellington by the afternoon train. Members are naturally looking forward to this trip, preyions similar visits to Masterton having proved very enjoyable.

' DRAUGHTS. The best: score in the annual tournament of the AVorkinp Men's Club has been made by the club champion, C. Erickson, who has completed his fixtures with the fine tally of 51) wins, 2 losses, and i draws, or 52 points out of a possible 56. The next best scores are:— M'Plierson. 35—5; Connor, 40—12; Costello, .18-10; Burgess, 25—15; Manson, 251—10',; Larking. 25—15; Colville, 27— 21; and J. Wright, 23—21. The sealed handicap will not be opened until the outstanding games have* been accounted for. Mr. Erickson will shortly bo leaving Wellington for some months, his departure being greatly regretted by his fellow-members.