INTER-PROVINCIAL CHESS MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4460, 29 February 1876, Page 5 (Supplement)

INTER-PROVINCIAL CHESS MATCH.

To the Editor of the Herald,

Sir,—lt is quite refreshing to see such a lively interest evoked for the Royal game which the late match occasioned. "The Auckland Press deserve credit for the prominence given to the proceedings. Being the first match across Cook's Straits, it was hardly to be expected that all the arrangements would bo perfect, aud the necessary repetition of messages caused unexpected delay and confusion (especially on the first night). The second night's operations were much mors expeditiously and satisfactorily performed. This gives us good grounds for hoping that the next will be more pleasant, and satisfactory to all concerned. On account of the many mishaps which befel the Dunedin players, they do not consider the late match a satisfactory test of skill. Both Mr. Monat and myself were singularly unfortunate in having our pieces misplaced, unknowingly to ourselves. I notice also from the Auckland papers that I was particularly long in making my moves. Perhaps your readers "will be surprised to learn" that when I received a message from Mr. Morton, drawing my attention to the time, I had only taken one minute for all the moves made, being in fact thetimeoccupied in writing them down. Chess-players will easily understand the great disadvantage of playing, on the understanding that your pieces are in certain positions. When the mistake was discovered, my chances of winning were very remote, and I had in consequence to play a very bold game, with the faint hope of Mr. Morton making a slip, whioh, fortunately for himself, he did not do. Mr. Mouat only drew what ought to have been a won game, by going out of the room for five minutes, for, in his absence, his king had been moved from KK3 to K Kt 3 without his knowledge. After playing a considerable time, and queening a pawn, as he thought, the mistake was only then discovered. This was at his 59th move. There were other little inj cidents not at all favonrable to us, but Ido not wish to enlarge upon them. We prefer waiting the result of the next match, and lai it speak for itself. Our past experience will enable us to guard against simila» mistakes in the future. There was an announcement in the Auckland papers some time ago about a silver cup being ottered (through tl>e liberality of a Mr. Aitken) for competition among the different provinces of New Zealand. The recent match wjbb considered in the light of a preliminary canter for it. If the fates are a little mora propitious, we do not despair of doing the running, even after our recent defeat. Woiae we to consult our own feelings wo shonW. have a return match at ones, but, perhaps, it will be better to wait a little, to sec whjS arrangements abont the cup are made. I think it would be a good idea to have our next match on a public holiday . (ssy the Queen's Birthday). By that time . everything could be settled. By playing during the day, wo should all ho ■ fresher and better fit for work. .In the matches between Melbourne and Sydney a public holiday is always selected. With their large populations, they arc content wifck seven representatives, so as not to prolong the.match too long, and even then it gensrally lasts the whole day. I think, witii less population to draw from, and Cook's Straits intervening (causing messages to be repeated), we might well reduce our number. By doing so the games would be livelier, and it would not be such a tax on the playese' time. You arc not for a moment to suppose that I propose this because I think it would be better for Dunedin than Auckland, JJi my opinion it would be better for both. Even before the arrangements for tho recent match were made I strongly advocated fie same opinions. May chess flourish throughout New Zealand 1 no matter who wins, fc the sincere wish of—Yours, &c., ■David 8,. Ha*. Dunodin, Feb. 22, 1870.