WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 148, 25 June 1928, Page 14

WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND

Ever since the above clubs first opposed each other in 1891 this telegraphic fixture has been followed with much interest, and the annual match that was commenced on Saturday evening is no exception to this rule. The local team played in its own room at the Gas Company Buildiugs, to which a wire was laid on. Working bees attended to preliminaries in both centres earlier in the day, Messrs. W. Toomath (lion, secretary) and D. l'urchas making all the necessary arrangements at this end. This enabled a prompt start to be made. The operating of Messrs. F. W. Kivers (Wellington) and 11. Bause (Auckland) left nothing to be desired. Mr. G. A. Hurley is umpiring for the Auckland Club here, and Mr. F. Stubbs is looking after the interests of the Wellington Club in "the Queen City." Very good progress was made on Saturday "evening, this good feature being largely due to the efficiency of the various officials mentioned above, and also to the cooperation of the two captains, Messrs. H. 11. Smith (Auckland) and A. W. Gyles (Wellington). Another very gratifying feature was an entire absence of clerical errors, and in this connection the very accurate work of the scrutineers—Messrs. J. M. Deck, H. M. Rosenberg, J. Kirkwood, W. Toomath, and W. H. White— cannot be too highly praised. One lastminnte change had to be made in the Wellington team, viz., at board 16, where W. Wring replaced A. K. Jessup (who unfortunately met with an accident while on his way to the club room). The pairings and openings were as follow:— Board. Wellington. Auckland. Opening. 1. Gyles, A. W. Madelox, H. N. • English 2. Fouliy, T. Moir, J. A. Q.P. 3. Kclllng, 11.I1. Roberts, C. C. Cj.G.dcc. 4. Anderson, G. Grierson, J. C. Ruy 5. Mason, W. E. Burry, J. retrod G. Htclts, E. A. Fotheringhnm, A. Scotch 7. Mackay, W. Jeffreys, Rot. Ruy .8. Craven, A. T. Coyne, J. French O.Wighara, G. Ogle, W. S. Scotch 10. M'Crca, J. C. Smith, H. H. Giuoco 11. Leo, H. G. Adktns, J. French 12. I'urchas, D. Sullivan, J. F. l'onsslant 33. Taylor, E. S. Ices, H. Q.P. 14. White, W. Adams, E. Caro-Kanu 15. Godtscliallr, Barker, It. " French *10. Wring, W. M'Konzlo, K. Ruy 37. Thompson. H. Moller (iiuoco IS. Tanner,' C. Kelly K.G.dec. 1!). Grady, F. Piitman, It. (Jiuoco 20. Gyles, A. /Roskllly, H. Giuoco Only one. game was finished, Mr. C. W. Tanner mating his opponent at board IS at the seventh move, with a double cheek. This is probably a record for New-Zealand chess. The two attacking pieces were en prise, but of course neither of them could be taken. Mr. Tanner, who has for many years past been a very popular lion, secretary of the New Zealand Chess Association, was accorded a round of applause on his unique success, which, it may be added, enhances an already fine match record. The remaining 19 games do not require much comment at this early stage. Wellington has a slight advantage at boards 4, 6, 7, and S, while Auckland holds a one-pawn advantage at boards 13 and 19. The positions reached at the other 13 tables are very even. It is expected that there will bo an even'larger

attendance of spectators at the conclusion of play on Saturday evening, when some very interesting and instructive end-game play should be witnessed.