CHESS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 178, 16 April 1923, Page 11

CHESS

WELLINGTON CLUB PAST YEAR REVIEWED The annual general meeting of the Wellington Chess Club was held last wpek, when -16 members .attended. Mr. W. Mac Kay (president) occupied the chair.

Mr. W. Toomath (hon. secretary) submitted the forty-seventh annual report. It states: There are 37 active and 3 honorary members on the roll. There were 18 competitors for the Petherick (handicap) tourney, which was won by Mr. H. Jessup, who thus repeated his successes of 1907 and 1920. Mr. A. Gyles, sen., was tho runner-up. The club championship was handsomely won by the popular president, Mr. W. Mac Kay, who made tho unbeaten score of 8 wins, 1 draw, and»was 2J points ahead of the run-ner-up (W. E. Mason). Mr. S. Faulknor won the intermediate tourney, and Mr. A. E. Jessup the junior tournament. Very considerable interest was taken in the ladder matches; 42 contests took place, the challengers beinu successful in 34 instances. The club’s A team won the teams’ tourney, promoted by tho Wellington Chess League. The club’s champion, Mr. W. Mac Kay, was runner-up to Mr. R. J. Barnes (W.M. Club) in the league’s champion of champions contest. The club drew its telegraphic matches against Auckland (10 —10), and. Otago (10 —10), and won from CanterburyHi —9). and from Nelson (12| —3s)The Auckland C.C. is congratulated on making the best scores at the first twelve boards, thereby winning the club championship of tho Dominion. Mr. Edwin A. Hicks, the club’s competitor for the N.Z. championship, is complimented on the prominent position attained by him bn the prize list. The annual all-Wclling-ton problem solving competition, promoted by the Good Companion’ Club was held, as usual, on February 22, when-Messrs. S. Faulkner and sl>. Purchas tied for first place, each getting ten correct solutions in the allotted time. The deaths of one member (Mr. H. Rudolph),, and of three ex-members (Messrs. George'. Wright,J. F. Ryder, and A. T. Bate) are placed on record. The thanks of the dub are tendered to Messrs. H. F. Wigram (Christchurch), W. H. S. Hughes (Ohura). W. F; Bar-' raud (foundation member), W. Mackay, H. G- Lee,' L. S.” Taylori E. A. Hicks. R. J. Barnes, W. J. Fairburn F. K. Kelling for donations,' or for assistance rendered during' the year.

The balance ‘sheet showed that the’ hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Gyles, ,*sen., had also worked hard for the club’s welfare during the ■; year just ended.The outstanding subscriptions amounted to £5 55., receipt’of’which, would enable the club to meet its-liabilities.

The report and balance sheet' were 1 adopted unanimously, tributes being paid to the executive officers for’their successful labours. . ' , ■ The elections of officers resulted aS follows:—President, W. Mackay ' (reelected) ; Vice-presidents, Messrs.' Er S. Taylor, A. T. Craven, and F. K. Rolling; bon. secretary, Mr. W. Toomath (re-eleetcd); hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Gyles; sen. ' -(re-elpcted) ; -committee, Messrs: W. E. Mason. W. White, H. Jossup, T. Fouliy tind D. Purchas ; match committee: Messrs. W. White, H. Jessup, and E. S. Taylor, hon, auditor, Mr. A. W. Gyles (re-elected); delegates to N.Z. Chess Association, Messrs. A. W. Gyles and W. Tonmath ; delegates to Chess League, Messrs. H. Jcissup and W. .Toomath. : Die Canterbury Chib’s request 'for a junior telegraphic match was referred to the incoming committee. An early visit from a Wairijrapa chess team is looked forward to withmuch pleasure;

■The hon. secretary announced ' that the president had kindly donated the handsome rimu book case and cupboards that had just been placed in

the room. (Loud applause.) This meets a pressing need, and enables members to see their valuable library, which has hitherto been buried out of sight. , ~ , It is hoped that the Mayor will he able to’present the prizes on April 28,” during the refreshment interval of the league’s North v. South match. The incoming year is to be closed on February' 29 next. . A vote of thanks to the Press for their helpful reports, and a similar tribute to last; year’s office-bearers, closed the meeting. THE NGAIO CLUB. The tenth annual general meeting of the Ngaio Club was held at the Ngaio schoolroom last week, Mr. F. J. Brooker (president) occupying the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Mr. H. Prince (hon. secretary) pre-sent-eel the annual report, which showed that the past season.had been one of tho most successful in the history of the club. The club championship was again won by’ Mr. J. Lindsay, who made the good tally of . 8 wins and 2 draws. Should he repeat his success he would win outright the handsome gold medal presented by Mr. W. Watts. Tlie sealed handicap tourney was won by’ Mr. G. G. Lowe, with a handicap of 7.5 points, Mr. V l . J. Hicks (handicap 4.2) coming second, while Mr. J. Lindsay (scratch), who won all his games, took third place. Mr. A. B. Topp was complimented on tho close finish resulting from his handicapping. The brilliancy prize was won bv J. 'Lindsay, and the lightning tourney by F. J. Brooker. The junior championship (open to those below class I) was annexed by IV. J. Hicks, second place being shared by Messrs. Westbrooke and J. A. Glasgow. The club won its annual match against the Working Men’s Club. Tho" fixture against the Wellington South C.C. depended on the result of an unfinished game, and might possibly end in a tie. The club’s junior team won the junior teams’ tourney of the newlyformed Wellington Chess League. Mr. J. Lindsay represented the club in the league’s champion of champions’ tourney, and tied for third place with Mr A. W. Gydes (Wellington South). There were at present 20 members on the' club’s roll. Thanks were tendered . to: Mesdames Brooker, E. E. Hicks, and W. J. Hicks (who assisted by dispensing refreshments at the various interclub matches), and to Messrs. R. A. Wright, M.P.. W.' Watts. J. J, Esson. J. B. Lea, and B. Lynneberg for donations. ’ '

The balance-sheet presented by Mr. J. A. Glasgow, hoii. : treasurer, showed tho.- club.- to bet inhar sound .position. The general fund, the trophy fund,, and the -purchase of material account each showed- -a" credit balance, after , paying for three new chess sets, and adding other assets to the club’s plant. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, on the motion of the president, who congratulated the members on the- success of the past year. ' The election of officers resulted as follows :—Pati'ons: Messrs, R. A.

Wright. M.P., AV. Watts, J. J. Esson, J. B. Lea, and B. Lynnelierg; president: Mr; F. J, Brooker; vice-presi-dents: Messrs. E. Hicks, sen., and E. E. Hicksi; hon. secretary: Mr. H. Prince (re-elected) ; hon. treasurer,: Mr. J. A. Glasgow (re-elected) ; committee: Messrs. G. G.. Lowe, A. ,T. Bades, and the officers, ex officio j ladder committee: Messrs. A. B. Topp, Hicks, and E. E. Hicks; handicapper: Mr. A. 13., Topp’,; delegate to .N.JZ. Chess Association: Mj’. E. E. Hicks;, delegr.to to tho AVellington Chess League: the. president and the hon. secretary. ' It was decided to retain the system of handicapping by sealed points, and to enter for all tho competitions of the AVellington Chess League. Hie subscription for junior members was fixed at half a crown.

A hearty vote of thanks was ac-. corded to last year’s office-bearers. The meeting concluded with the presentation of the prizes won last year, with the except’on cf the lightning tourney prize, which Mn, Broo-kcr has donated to the fund for purchasing new material,