CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 110, 11 May 1932, Page 3

CHESS

WELLINGTON CLUB

Twenty-two members were present at the fifty-sixth annual general meeting o£ the Wellington Chess Club. Mr. J. C. MeCrea occupied the chair.

The membership stood, stated the report, at 31 active aud 11 honorary. Club tournaments resulted as follows:— Club Championship: A. W. Gyles first, G. P. Anderson second, F. K. Kelling third; B Grade tourney, Mr. H. J. Thompson; C Grade tourney, Mr. G. W. Wood; "Petherick" Tourney (12 competitors), Messrs. J. L, Hardy and F. Grady tied for first place, the former -winning the play-off. - The club's senior representatives won the' A grade teams' tourney of the Wellington Chess League. Eight players competed in the league's champion of champions' event, Mr. T. Fouhy sharing third place with Mr. F. K. Kelling.

The annual programme of telegraphic matches for the club championship of New Zealand was not played. The club had suggested a "sudden-death" tourney, under which the winner of a match between the Auckland and Wellington clubs would play off with the winner of a Canterbury v. Otago fixture.

The 41st tourney to decide the chess championship of New Zealand was held, in Napier during the Christmas holidays, when Mr. G. .Gunderson, of Melbourne,' Victoria, won the championship, thus repeating the success that he gained at Wanganui two years ago. Three members of the club, Messrs. A. W. Gyles, F. K. Kelling, and W. J. Fairburn, figured in the prize-list, and, strangely enough, were the' only competitors to score from Mr. C. J. S. Purely, tho well-known ex-champion of New South Wales and New Zealand. OBITUARY. Mr. W. J. Helyei% one of the club's oldest members, died on the Bth April, aged 74 years. ..The generous support'given by him to onvclub over a long jperio'd' of years has been of very great assistance. The passing of . two exmembers is placed on record with regret, viz., Mr. B. B. Allen and Mr. H- L. James. — : There is a loss on the year's working, hence the plea for an increased membership. Thanks are accorded to all who Jiave assisted with donations, to the Napier executive, and to the Press. The following officers were elected for the ensuing season: —Patron, Sir Harold-Beau-champ, O.; president, Mr. W. MaeKay; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. K. Kelling, A. T. Craven, G. Wigham, and J. C. McCrea; Management Committee: Messrs. G. P. Anderson, F. Grady, Dr. Myers, It. C: Sim, and F. Dewhurst (with the officers ex officio). Match Committee: Messrs. D. Purchas, J. L. Hardy, and W. C. White. Delegates to the New Zealand Chess Association: Mr. A. W. Gyles and Dr. D. F. Myers. Delegates to the Wellington Chess League: Messrs. A. T. Craven and J. L. Hardy; hon. auditor, A. W. Gyles; hon. librarian, D. Purchas; hon. treasurer, J. L. Hardy; hon. secretary, W. Toomath; assistant hon. secretary and hon. reporter F. K. Kelling. • ■ - With a view to securing improved attendances it was decided to supplement the usual programme of tourneys with a series of monthly contests. The Match Committee is to submit draft rules for this competition at an early date. ' >■_. - After a brief discussion it was decided to fix the subscription for the ensuing year as follows:—Active membership, 30s; honorary (with right of playing in telegraphic matches), 15s. Accommodation is to be given to members "who are up against it" on account of the prevailing financial depression. In connection with the hon. treasurer's offer to supply an honours board, it was stated to be a very difficult matter to compile a list of the club's champions from the foundation year (1876) onwards. ' The tourney records are not all, available, and this also applies to results of the ladder matches. No tourneys for the championship of the club were held for a period of nine years (1909 to 1918). Prior to 1909 the club championship was held at different times by Messrs C. W. Benbow, R. J. Barnes. A. I. Littlejqhn. W. E. Mason, and A. W. O. Davies bmce the resumption of the championship tourney in 1918 the winners have been as follows:— 0-;? 31™3 1920 It. J. Barnes 1921 W. E Mason 1922 R. J. Barnes 1923 W. MacKay 1924 W. E. Mason 1925 E. A. Hicks 1926 G. P. Anderson 1927 R. J. Barnes 1928 A. W. Gyles 1929 F. K. Kelling 1930 F. K. Kellinjj 1931 A. W. Gyles 1932 A. W. Gyles

The prizes won last year were presented by the chairman, each prize being accompanied by a souvenir certificate. Entries are to be invited forthwith for the usual tourneys.

Mr. McCrea made reference to the fact that Mr. F. K. Kelling had joined the club fifty years ago He eulogised the many services rendered by Mr. Kelling, and proposed that he be made a life member. This was supported by Mr. Toomath, and was carried with loud applause. Mr. Kelling feelingly thanked his fellow-members for the quite unexpected bestowal of- this extremely rare honour.