CHESS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 71, 17 December 1928, Page 9

CHESS

CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE DOMINION THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT

The thirty-eighth tournament to decide the chess championship of New Zealand, which became vacant on January 16 last through the death of Mr. A. W. O. Davies, is scheduled to begin in the Education Board's offices in Mercer Street at 10 a.in. on Boxing Day. The executive of the Wellington Chess League, of which Mr. S. Eaulknor is hon. secretary, and Mr. If. J. Brooker is chairman, have been busy for some weeks past collecting funds to meet all expenses connected with this championship event, and generally in making arrangements to ensure its being successfully carried out. In the event of Mr. J. A. Moir being able to represent the Auckland Chess Club, there will, it is understood, be fourteen entries, the remaining thirteen being as follow: —D. I. Jones (Auckland), L. Pleasants and R. O. Scott (Wanganui), P. Kummer (Masterton), A. W. Gyles and Edwin A. Hicks (Wellington), Ernest E. Hicks (Ngaio), F. K. Kelling and W. J. Fairburn (Wellington Working Men’s Club). E. If. Severne (Nelson), Rev.

A. Miller (Westport), J. W. Buchan (Otago), and J. A. Erskine (Melbourne). It will therefore not be necessary to resort to section play, there being sufficient time for a fullround tourney. Id this event the prizes would, in accordance with the association’s rules, be awarded under the “Sieger” system, the prize-money being divided by those who score over 50 per cent, of their games, and in proportion as their individual scores exceed the 50 per cent. As the present tourney does not mark any spe- ' cial occasion, and is consequently not' one of exceptional importance, there will be no occasion to specially increase the first prize arrived at under the “Sieger” method. A few comments on the competitors by our chess correspondent will be of interest at this juncture:— Mr. J. A. Moir is a very gifted player who has several times held the championship of the Auckland Chess Club. This year he and Mr. D. I. Jones (the other Auckland nominee) have tied for that honour. The result of the play-off is being looked forward to with considerbale interest by the Dominion’s numerous enthusiasts.

Mr. L. Pleasants is an ex-champion of the Wanganui Chess Club, who qualified for the finals at the Auckland Congress two years ago. He was unable to compete at the Chriscthurcb Congress last year. He has latterly resumed the composing of . chess problems with success, his contributions to the “Otago Witness” having been very favourably commented on by that paper’s baud of solvers. Mr. R. V. Scott (Wanganui) is a deaf player, who is showing much promise. He has lately been holding his own with the club’s champion (G. Fisher), and ex-champion (L. Pleasants). The Masterton Club has a very cai. able representative in Mr. Paul Kummer. His record in telegraphic and inter-club matches is a very fine one, and he further enhanced it during the Labour Day week-end by scoring a meritorious win from Mr. A. W. Gyles at board one in the annual Wairara t a v. Wellington fixture. The fact that he gets such a few opportunities for practice (Kummerstein in 32 miles from Masterton) makes his good showing the more creditable. He is,' in every way, a worthy successor to his cousin,. F. Kummer, whose retirement from Congress play is, it is hoped, only temporary. New Zealand chess would undoubtedly be the better for his return to the arena. Mr. E. H. Severne (Nelson) is another very sound and consistent performer. He nearly always secures a good place in the prize-list, and has more than once narrowly missed winning the Dominion championship. His knowledge of “the books” is probably not surpassed by ai.y other competitor. His many friends will assuredly expect him to ouce more occupy a high place on this occasion.

Rev. A. Miller (Westport) formerly resided iu Auckland, and held the championship of the Auckland Chess Club for one year. He has taken part in four congresses, and has won three prizes (including one brilliancy prize). He moves rapidly, and plays a dashing type of game that generally attracts the spectators to his table. In chess attack may not always be the best defence, but Mr. Miller probably finds it useful never to lose sight of this maxim. Mr. J. W. Buchan (Otago C.C.) is an ex-Victorinn, who has only competed on one previous occasion, viz., at Christchurch six years ago. His play, though strong at times, lacked the note of evenness that is so essential to success. This was doubtless due to his inability to get practice. (He was then a teacher at Tapanui, and is still residing there.) Mr. J. A. Erskine, who is the only competitor from Australia. was_born in Invercargill on January 29. 1872. Before making his home in Melbourne he was a student at Canterbury College, where he gained bis M.A. degree with much distinction. Playing at the Auckland Congress two years ago, ho took second prize with the good tally of seven wins and four draws. He can therefore be relied on to set a high standard on this occasion. The five Wellington competitors are all well known locally. Mr. A. W. Gyles is the present holder of the Wellington League’s “champion of champions” title. He has been runner-up for the Dominion

title no fewer than seven times, which explains why he is sometimes jocularly dubbed “Hard-luck Gyles.” Earlier in the present season he was not seen at. his best, but his present form is so good as to encourage the hope that the door will thus open in response to his knock. His “second string,” Mr. Edwin A. Hicks, also has a splendid record in congresses, local tourneys, and telegraphic contests'. He has not taken part in this year’s club tourneys, but the good form that he showed in the recent telegraphic matches makes it plain that die is not “rusty.” His cousin, Mr. Ernest E. Hicks, once more represents the Ngaio chib. He made an excellent first appearance at the Wellington congress of five years ago, his fine play in the middlegame enabling him to . qualify for the finals ahead of Messrs. A. Miller, P. Kummer, 11. J. Armstrong, F. K. Kelling, Dirk Pihl, and W. J. Fairburn. He now reappears in the championship arena after an absence of three years. Six months ago he was not doing himself justice, hut his friends will be pleased to know that he is at the present tune right back to form. Mr. F. K. Kelling, on the other hand, is not now shaping as well .as he did earlier in the season. He has attended twenty of these congresses and has won sixteen prizes, which record includes three brilliancy (or elegance) prizes and two “best recovery” prizes. His “second string.” Mr. W. J, Fairburn, is now competing for the sixth time. He Spent the first eight months of the present year in Christchurch and secured second prize ip the championshin tourney of the Canterbury Chess Club. His friends consequently expect him to continue his ascent of the New Zealand chess ladder. A LIGHTNING TOURNEY. Eighteen members took part in a lightning chess tourney at the rooms of the Working Men's Club on Saturday evening. Ten seconds were allowed for each move and ten minutes for each game. Mr. T. Lock donated four prizes for this contest and also a consolation prize. Mr. F. K. Kelling acted as timekeeper and referee. Messrs. J. Lindsay, G. Walker, E. Hirter and W. Wring were the four winners. The tie between Messrs. G. 11. McMaster and 11. Anderson for the consolation prize has still to be decided. |