CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 152, 26 December 1923, Page 8

CHESS

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

CONGRESS AT WELLINGTON.

The thirty-third chess championship congress was officially opened by Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., Mayor of Wellington, in the Education Board's room, this morning. Mr. Wright tendered the visiting chess players a welcome to the city, and wished them a pleasant stay. He welcomed especially Mr^ Crackanthorp, the Australian chess champion, whose visit and participation in the tournament would add interest to the play and be of great benefit to New Zealand chess. He was pleased, too, to note that Mr. J. B. Dunlop, the present New Zealand champion, was also present, as he whs this year to attempt to break his unique record of thrice winning the championship in succesaive years.' Mr. C. W. Tanner,' honorary secretary of the New Zealand Chess Association, also expressed the hope that the competitors would have a pleasant time during the congress and produce a class of chess that ihev themselves, and New Zealand in general, would-be proud of. Among those present was Mr. W. 'S. Barraud, the first secretary to the Wellington Chess Club, formed in 1896. He,' as a foundation member and life-mem-ber of the Wellington Chess Club, expressed his pleasure ' at> being present, and happily wished the players every success. .

A vote of thanks to the Mayor for his attendance closed the formal proceedings. -

The twenty congress players then met the congress management committee and Messrs. H. Faulkinor and W. Toomath, the joint secretaries of that body, announced the arrangements for the carrying out of the tournament.

The players of the sections were selected as 'follow: —

Section A.—Armstrong (Christchurch), Crackanthorp (N.S.W.), Fairburn, Gyles, E. E. Hicks, Kelling (Wellington), Rummer (Masterton), Miller (Westport), Moir (Auckland, Pihl (Christchurch). ' Section 8.-—Anderson., Barnes (Wellington)/ Dunlop (Oainaru), Hughes Ohura), E. A. Hicks (Wellington), Hawkins, Kennedy (Christchurch), Plesenta (Wanganui), Severne., (Nelson), Naughton (Auckland). During section play there will be three sessions daily, 9 to 12, 2 to 5, and 7 to 10, and three games Will be played in the two days. The first playing session commenced this afternoon, and the following games are in progress: —

Section A.—Moir v. Miller, E. E. Hicks v. Gyles, Kelling v. Fairburn, Armstrong v. Pihl, Crackanthorp, v. Kummer.

Section B.—E. A. Hicks v. Hughes, Barnes v. Anderson. Kennedy v. Hawkins, Severne v. Vaughan. Plesents' v. Dunlop. f