CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 136, 13 June 1927, Page 7

CHESS

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP OF

NEW ZEALAND

Tlio following are tentative dates for the annual series o£ telegraphic matches to decide the club championship of the Domiuion for 1927-28 (the name of the adjudicating centre being given iv paren-theses):—4th-l lth July, Auckland v. Otago (Wellington); 25th July-lst August, Canterbury v.. Wellington (Otago); 20th27th August, Auckland v. Wellington (Canterbury); 20th-27th August, Otago v. Canterbury (Auckland); 12th-19th September, Auckland v. Canterbury (Otago); 26th September-3rd October, Otago v. Wellington (Auckland). Matches involving the use of the Cook Strait cable will unfortunately have to be played on Monday evenings for the present. This year's contest will be the sixth of its kind. So far- the "honours have gone to the North Island, the Wellington Chess Club having won the tourney on three occasions (1923----24, 1921-25, and 1926-27), while the Auckland Chess Club lias won the premiership twice (1922-23 and 1925-26).

NOTATION IN TELEGRAPHIC MATCHES.

For some time past there has been a steadily increasing dissatisfaction with the Kieseritzky-Eoll notation that has been used iv telegraphic matches in New Zealand for more than twenty years past. Under this system moves are designated by numbers, instead of by letters. ]?or example, pawn to king's fourth is telegraphed as 25 to 45, instead of as PK4. This numerical notation has not worked well in practice. Mistakes have been numerous, causing much delay and vexation. In the final match of last year's tourney, Auckland v. Wellington, the numerical, system was dropped, aud the English notation was reverted to, with very happy results. The few errors that occurred were rectified without delay, and both sides were very satisfied with the experiment. Many delegates to the New Zealand Chess Council are firmly of the opinion that the <time has come for a change, and that the English notation' should be given preference over the numerical system—the latter only being used in matches where both clubs prefer to play "under it. A move in this direction will, it is understood, be made at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Chess Association that is to be held shortly.

WADESTOWN CHESS CLUB,

The members of the Wadestown Chess Club, which was formed out of the Wadestown Chess Circle in June last, held their first annual general meeting at 74, AVeld street, on the Ist instant, when Mr. H. Godtsuhalk presided over a large attendance. The report detailed the successful launching o£ the club, and stated that two matches had been played against the Ngaio Chess Club. The first had been lost (o-C), and the second had been won (GM-S'A). There was a small credit balance on the year's working, and this has been added to the fund that is being built up for the purchase of material. The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. The election of officers resulted as follows:--Patron, the-Hon. K. A. Wright, M.P.; president, A. J. George; vice-presidents, H. Godtschalk, H. H. Hummer, and F. K. Kelling; hon. secretary, It. A. Godtschalk (73, Cecil road); hon. treasurer, J. Jlorton; hon. auditor, K. Battersby; general committee, H. Godtschalk, J. Morton) and R. A. Godtschulk; match committee, H. Godtsehalk and J. Morton. If enthusiasm counts for anything the club should make good progress in its second year. Members are looking forward with much interest to next Saturday's match at Ngaio, against the local club.

WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

The chess players of the Working Men's Club and Literary Institute opened their 1927-28 season on Saturduy evening with a well-contested sides' match on the usual lines. When play ceased at 11 p.m. the tally was:—Captain's side, 5 wins; Vicecaptain, 6. The result therefore depends on the garni; between J. Limlstiy and J. Diirge.ss, in which the latter lias the move.

There are fifteen entries for the club's iinminl handicap chess tourney, nnd nine for the minor chess tourney, from which senior players arc barred. Entries for the annual soiled handicap draughts tourney clo.se on Saturday next. Four special trophies have been donated for this contest, for which eighteen names have so far been handed iv. It is hoped that the number of competitors will be a record for tho club, us great enthusiasm has been ::hown in the clubroom recently, due, doubtless, to the tourney that was held in the club's social hall at Easter timr to decide the draughts championship of New Zealand.