FAMOUS CHESS MASTER

Evening Star, Issue 22619, 10 April 1937, Page 23

FAMOUS CHESS MASTER

LAJOS STEINER ARRIVES WARM WELCOME AT CIVIC RECEPTION NEW SEASON OPENED A civic reception was extended to Mr Lajos Steiner, the world-famous Hunr garian chess master, at present touring the Dominion, by the mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) last evening in the Otago Chess Club room. Mr Cox also officiated in opening the 1937 season. The Otago Chess Club was honoured, said the president (Mr J. J. Marlow), by having Mr Steiner as its guest. His visit undoubtedly would create new interest in the greatest intellectual pastime the human mind had conceived. The royal game of chess had been popular even in the earliest days of which man had record, and would still be young “ when Macaulay’s New Zealander stood on the ruins of London Bridge.” The visit of Mr Steiner " would do mtichto correct the false impression that only the advanced student could derive any pleasure from chess; even the merest novice found delight and enjoyment in it from the beginning. In conclusion, he called for a royal welcome from the assembled members, who signified their appreciation of the visit with, an- ovation. In welcoming Mr Steiner on behalf of the city, the Mayor informed him that he had come to a city whose people loved sport of all kinds. The province held the Rugby football cham--pionship, and it was gratifying to him to find that Hungary was a keen supporter of the English game. But Otago excelled not only in outdoor sports, but also was a staunch advocate of indoor games, and had produced many champions. Hungary was one of the most beautiful and romantic countries in the world, ho continued, and his own association with it had been a most happy one. He sympathised with it in its impoverished state, he said, but thought that, as the people had all the elements of greatness, this would soon he overcome. It gave him great pleasure, he concluded, •to welcome the great chess master to the city. Mr Steiner thanked the speakers and members for the hearty welcome ho had been accorded, and for the kind references to his country. The people of the southern hemisphere lived happily, with an optimistic outlook, he said, and he expressed the pleasure he felt that this feeling prevailed. He had left Hungary last September, paying since a visit to Japan, but there he found little practical knowledge of chess, though the Japanese had a great desire to learn it. They hoped, he said, that a tournament would be held in conjunction with the next Olympic Games. Should that eventuate, it would be a wonderful opportunity for Australasian players to further their knowledge.

He was warmly received wherever he went, he informed the gathering, and something new was always offered. Christchurch had taught him to ride a bicycle, and he lamented the fact that_ Dunedin did not offer the same facilities for practice for a beginner. Its baths had, however, provided the venue of some real enjoyment on his arrival. Finally, he expressed the hope that his visit would be of benefit to Dunedin chess players. The oldest member of the club, Mr H. Hastings, said that during the many years of his association with the gjyne many distinguished chess players had visited the city, but none with a greater reputation than the Hungarian master. He was sure that Mr Steiner would leave many evidences of his sojourn in the improved performances of the club members. Mr 0. Balk conversed with Mr Steiner in his native tongue in his address, giving some reminiscences of a tournament in Germany, after which Mr Cox declared the 1937 chess season ■ open and presented the prizes won by members during the past year, Mr Bijjk proposed a vote of thanks to the mayor, which was carried by acclamation. Prizes won during last season were presented as follow:—Club champion, Mr R. M'Dermid; runner-up, Mr E. I W. Bennett; B grade champion, Mr A. E. F. Evans; runner-up, Mr R. W. Lunglcy: winner of handicap tournament, Mr A. J. M'Dermott.

PRESIDENT v. VICE-PRESIDENT. Later in the evening a match was played between teams representing the president and the vice-president, the former winning easily. The result was as follows; President. Vice-president, J. J. Marlow i E. AV. Bennett i A. E. Le Petit i O. Balk ... i R. M'Dermid 1 W. Lang ... 0 L. D. Coombes 1 R. Watt ... 0 Dr G. Barnett 0 A, Ward ... 1 Dr E. Mewing- A. J. M'Derton ... ... \ mott i R. E. Williamson ... ... 1 E. Q. Evans 0 W. H. Allen 0 J. Lang ... 1 J. Hinton ... 1 A. M'Lean ... 0 C. R. Watson J C. M. Barnett I G. Reilly ... 1 S. Marshall ... 0 A. Twose ... 0 A. S. Tiley 1 Dr Davies ... 1 J. Doolan ... 0 A. W. Hall ... 0 C. J. M'Keague 1 Dr Rawnsley 1 H; A. Wilcocks 0 Mrs Beckwith 1 F. Morris ... 0 W. Meldrum 1 E. B. Raymond 0 C. Robertson 1 Mrs D. Langley 0