CHESS CHAMPION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 7 January 1935, Page 2

CHESS CHAMPION

ERSKINE OF SOUTHLAND WINS (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A drawn game in the last round ?of the New Zealand chess championship between J. A. Erskine (Southland) and A. W. Gyles (Wellington) make, Erskine the Dominion champion for 1935. At the’beginning of the play on Saturday the tournament was in an interesting position, it being tliep impossible to forecast the winner with auy certainty. The game had to be completed between Severne (Nelson) and Erskine. Severne’s resignation from this game, which lasted for 7 hours 35 minutes and extended over three sittings, left Erskine with 9 points and one further game to play against Gyles, who had scored eight points. The next in order were K. Beyer (Wellington) with 84 points, and J. B. Dunlop (Otago) 7 1 points. Both these players having no further games to play. One game has still to be played in the last round between Severne and L. J. Darwin, the Canterbury champion, but this lias no bearing on the final result. The positions of leading players which will remain unaltered by the single game still to be play.d, ar e as follows: Erskine 9& points 1; Boyer 84, 2; Gyles B£, 3; Dunlop 7*,'4; Le Petit G£, 5; Abbott s£, C. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The final function in connection with the 1934-35 New Zealand chess championship was held this afternoon; when the' prizes were presented to the successful competitors, and visitors and friends were entertained at afternoon tea by the Canterbury Chess Club. Mr L. J. Mitchell, President of the Canterbury Chess Club, presided. He particularly thanked Mr W._ 11. Joyce, umpire, Mr J. Hunter, assistant umpire, Mr Lovell Smith of the Canterbury Club, Mr F. K. Kelling (Wellington), and Mr Hans Kennedy, president of the New Zealand Chess Association for help and Consideration during the tournament. TRIPLE TIE IN HASTINGS TOURNEY (United Preßß Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, sth January. The Hastings chess tournament ended in a triple tie between Sir George Thomas, Dr Euwe and Flolir, each (14 points, with Capablanca fourth 54 points.