OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 24, 29 January 1923, Page 2

OBITUARY

PROMINENT CHESS PLAYERS.

Mr, James F. Ryder', who died at Khandallah on the 20th instant, t aged 85, was formerly one of Wellington's; strongest chess players. He iearni the game at the age of 13, and placed ill Birminffhara during the late 'sixties, and throughout the 'seventies. In the early 'seventies he played for Birmingham against Oxford University, and drew his game against Rev. C. E. RanUin, who was accounted one of Britain's leading exponents of chess. '.'The Canterbury Times" of 25th .December. 1880; has the following extract irom "The Chess Players' Chronicle" (which was edited by the Rev. Mr. Rankin): "We regret to learn that the Birmingham Club has experienced a severe loss in the departure of its vice-president, Mr. J. F. Ryder, to New Zealand. Mr. Ryder was one of Birmingham's strongest players ... and he will be a welcome addition to the chess strength of the colony. It is remarkable that Mr. Ryder makes the second good Birmingham chese player who 1 has emigrated thither within the laEt few years, the other being Mrl C. W: Benbow.". After giving up farming at Te Puke, the late Mr. Ryder made a short stay in Auckland ,\ an<J won the local chess championship in the 1885-86 season. Later oh he took up his resi- ! dence in Wellington, and enhanced his fine match record by winning very con- ; sistently when representing the Working Men's Club in its annual fixtures against . other clubs. His last appearan.ee was in 'the 1913-14 season, when, at the age of 76, he drew his game at board 3 against the Wellington South Club." Pressure of business left him little time for tournament play, but he showed up prominently in tlis two tourneys that he took part in during his brief connection with the Wellington Chess Club. He tied with Mr. R. J. Barnes for the; championship of that club in 1897-98 season —a tie that was not played off. Mr. Henry Rudolph, wbo died in this city on the 18th instant, aged 48, was a very popular honorary member of the Wellington Chess Club. Being a resident of Muritai he was seldom able to attend the clubroom, and was consequently prevented from talking part in the club's various activities. Besides being, a strong; -player the late Mr. Rudolph was a capable musician and also an accomplished linguist^ speaking nvelanguages fluently. He, is survived by two sons—the elder of whom was 21 years of age on the day of his father's .death—and a daughter who is still in her teens.