CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 4

CHESS

THE WELLINGTON CLUB

The 47th annual general meeting of the Wellington Chess Club was held at 62, Cuba street, when 16 members attended. Mr. W. Mackay (president) occupied the chair.

The annual report, submitted by Mr. W. Tooma-fch. (Hon. oecretary), states that there are 37 active and 3 honorary members on the roll. There were 18 competitors for the "Petheriok" (handicap) tourney, which was won by H. Jessup, who thus scored his third win, repeating his successes of 1907 and 1920. Mr. A. Gyles, 6en. (> was the runner-up. The club championship was handsomely won by the popular president, Mr. W. Maekay, who made the unbeaten score of 8 wins, 1 draw, .and finished up 2£ points ahead of the runner-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 ladder contests. Fortytwo matches took place, the challengers being successful in 34 instances. The club's A team won the teams' tourney promoted by the Wellington Chess League. The club's champion, Mr. W. Mackay, war runner-up to Mr. B. 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 Canterbury (11-9), and from Nelson (12^-34). ' The Auckland C.C. is congratulated on making the best scores at the first 12 boards, thereby winning the club championship' of the Dominion. Mr. Edwin A: Hicks, the club's competitor foj the New Zealand championship, is complimented on the prominent position attained by him on the prize-list. The annual all-Wellington problem-solving competition promoted by the Good Companion Club was held, as usual, on 22nd February, when Messrs. S. Faulknor and D. Purchas tied for first place, each getting ten correct solutions in the allotted time. The deaths of three ex-members (Messrs. George Wright, J. F.. Ryder, and A. T. Bate) and of one member '(Mr. H. Rudolph) are placed on record. The thanks of the club are tendered to Messrs. H. F. Wig; ram (Christchurch), W. H. S. Hughes (Ohura), W. F. Barraud (foundation member), W. Mackay, H. G. Lee, E. S. Taylor, E. A. Hicks, R. J. Barnes, W. J. Fairburn, and F. K. Kelling for donations, or for assistance: rendered during the year. ,

The balance-sheet shows that the hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Gyles, sen., has also worked hard for the club's welfare during the year just ended. The outstand' ing subscriptions amount to £5 ss, re r ceipt of which would enable the club to meet all its liabilities.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously, tributes being paid to the executive officers for their valued labours.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. W. Mackay (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Messrß. E. S. Taylor, A. T. Craven, and F. K. Kelling; hon. secretary, Mr. W. Toomath (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Gyles, sen. (re-elected): committee, ( Messrs. W. E. Mason, W. White, H. jJeseijp, T. Fouhy, and D. Purchas; 'match.'committee, Messrs. W. White, H, Jessup, and E. S. Taylor; hon. auditor, Mr.' A. W. Gyles (re-eleoted).; delegates to New Zealand Chess-Association. Messrs. A. W. Gyles' and W. Toomath:;' delegates to Chess League,- Messrs. H. Jessup and W. Toomath. ' The Canterbury Club's request for a junior telegraphic match was referred) to the "incoming committee. An early visit from a,Wairarapa chess team is looked forward to with much pleasure. The hon. secretary announced that the president had kindly donated the handsome rimu bookcase and cupboards that had juat been placed in the room. (Loud applause). This meets a pressing need, and enables members to see their valuable . library, whioh has hitherto been buried out of sight. It is hoped that the Mayor will be able to present .the prizes on the 28th inst., during the refreshment interval of the' league's monster "North v. South" match. The incoming year is to be closed on the 29tb February next. ... ' ' A vote of thanks to. the Press for its 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 Chess Club was held at the Ngaio Schoolroom. Mr. F. J. Brooker (president) occupied the chair. There was a gratifying attendance of members. Mr. H. Prince (hon. secretary) presented' the annual report, which shows that the past season has been one of the most successful in the history of the club. The championship of the club was again won by Mr. J. Lindsay, who made the good score of 8 wins and 2 draws. Should' he repeat his-success, he will win outright the handsome gold medal presented by Mr. W. Watts. The sealed handicap tourney was won by Mr. G. G. Lowe, with a handicap of 7.5 points, Mr. V W. J. Hicks (handicap 4.2) coming second, while Mr. J. Lindsay (scratch), who won all his games, takes third place.. Mr. A. B. Topp is complimented on the close finish resulting from hie handicapping. Tile Brilliancy Prize was won by J. Lindsay, and the Lightning Tourpey by F. J. Brooker. The Junior Championship (open to those below class 1) was annexed by W. J. Hicks, second place being shared by S. Weatbrooke and J. A. Glasgow. The club won its annual match against the Working Men's Club. The fixture against the Wellington South C.C. depends on the result of an unfinished game, and may possibly end in a tie : The club's junior team won the Junior Team's 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. Gyles (Wellington South). There are at present 20 members on the club's roll. Thanks are tendered to Mesdames Brooker, E. E. Hicks, and) W. J. Hicka for dispensing refreshments. and to Messrs. E. A. Wright, M.P., W. Watts, J. J. Eeson, J. B. Lea, and B. Lynneberg for donations. The. balance-sheet, presented by Mr. J. A. Glasgow, hon. treasurer, shown the club to be in a sound position. The general fund', the trophy fund, and the purchaae-of-material account each showp a credit balance after paying all expenses and adding three new sets of'chessmen., and other useful assets to the club's plant. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the president., who, in a happy speech, congratulstet members on the success of the past year The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patrons, Messrs. R. A. Wright. M.P., W. Watts, J. J. Esson, J. B. Lea. and B. Lynneberg; president, Mr. F.. JBrooker; vice-presidents, Messrs. E, Hicks, sen., and E. E. Hicks; hon. secretary, Mr. H. Prince (re-elected); hen. treasurer, Mr. J. A. Glasgow (re-elec-t-----ed); committee, Messrs. O. G. Lowe, A. T. Eades, and the officers ex officio: Ir.dder committee, Messrs, A. B. Topp. VV. Hicks, arid E. E. Hicks; handicapy«y, Mr. A. B. Topp ; delegate to New ■iealand Chess Association, Mr. E. E. Hicks; delegates to Wellington 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 the competitions of the Wellington Chess League. The subscription for junior members was fixed at 2s 6d. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to last year's office-bearers.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of the prizes won last year, with the exception of the Lightning Tourney prize, which Mr. Brooker has donated to the fund for purchasing new material. .