CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 4

CHESS

LOCAL NOTES

As mentioned in our issue of Monday last the local chess season is being opened with a big sides match, "North v. South)" open to all who reside on either Side! of the line formed by Courtenay place and Manners, Upper Willis, and Aro' streets. Five of the outstanding games Were got off last week, the tally being now: South SO wins, North 26 wins (six drawn games being reckoned as three points to e"ach side). . There are; still about half-a-dozen games outstanding. It is hoped that these will all be. contested during the present week, as the match closes on Saturday evening. The "chess season at the Working Men's Club was opened on Saturday everting, with'the usual sides match, "Captain v. Vice-Captain." There-was a'large attendance despite the wet Weather. Mr. Barnes's team scored 5 wins, Mr. Kelliiig's team 4 -wins, and two games were, drawn. The result thus depends on the two dntstanding games, Viz., W. Boslier v. ~.f. Matejka, arid P. Bitossi V. D. Stephens. The full-sized SUuiiton set, used at Board 1 was the prize given for the club's first tourney in 1889 by the late Mr. A. R. Stuart Menteath, who at that time represented the Te Aro constituency in Parliament. The club was then situated at the corner of Manners and Upper Willis streets. The club has BO far received 12 entries for its 1923 chess tourney, and 14 entries for the annual Handicap draughts tourney. Mr. Alex;Tepej one of the members, has of-, fered a gold medal as one of tfte prizes.' ■ The Wellington South Club's opening: •match, i "Bast" v- "West". (Adelaide ! road and Riddiford street being the div-; iding line) has 1 reached an interesting' Stage. Bach side hae, scored 4 wins and. 2 draws. The issue, therefore, hangs, on I the two outstanding "games. A Close finish '. is looked for. . I The Ngaio Club has commenced its annual handicap tourney with 12 entries. I The games between the senior players' are to count as the first round for the club championship. The Wellington Ghess Club ha« received g6od l entries for the four tourneyn shortly to be launched, Viz., Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Championships, and the annual "Petheriok' (handicap) tourney. Ladder matches have been vefV popular during the past nionth. tfouhy (rung 8) stalled off W. White s challenge, but failed to dislodge G. ¥. Anderson. The latter then gained rung 6 from Wellington (2H)> aftd subsequently challenged W. E. Mason for rung 4. The tally in this bout is "one all.' The first game» which also counted for the North V. South match, was won by G: P. Anderson (South). A: W. Gyles (rung 5) called on E. A. Hicks to defend rung 3, the present score being 2-0 in the for* mer's favoUf. This is a "best of b games" match by mutual agreement, and further play is therefore necessary to decide. possession of rung 3. If Gyle's se* cures it, Hicks and Mason will each .go down one rung. By winning the club s 1922 championship tourney, Mr. W. Mackey moves Up from rung 5 to rung I—a record jump in the history of the club—and withal: a very popular jump. It recalls the occasion when the then I.holder of- rung 9 created a surprise by winning the New Zealand championship fourteen years ago. A committee meeting was held on Tuesday evening when a vote of sympathy was passed to the relative of thelatfe Mr. J. Lockie, who was formerly an active member of the ° 'Tlie first round of the Wellington Chess League's intei'club competitions has been drawn as follows:'— Seniors: Ngaio v. Wellington South, at St. Thomas' club room, and Wellington A v. Working Men's Club (to bg played at the latter club's rooms next Saturday, a« the Wairarap team's visit has been postported till,later in the (season). The Wellingtorf Club's "B" team Mat the bye. Juniors: Wellington South v. Wellington d.C. Club (at 52, Cuba street), and Ngaio V. Working Men's Club (at the latter'b rooms). It Is understood that the chess clubs recently formed at Johrtsb'nville, and in connection with the Kelbuvti Bowling Club will not .be joining the league in time for this year s intei'club competitions, but may be represented in the champion of champions contest later on.'