RECENT CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17984, 9 January 1922, Page 6

RECENT CHESS CONGRESS.

PLAYERS ENTERTAINED. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. The concluding gathering in connection with the annual New Zealand Chess Championship Congress in Auckland took the form of a largely-attended social at the i Bociety of Arts room on Saturday evening. Mr. R. H. Abbott, president of the New Zealand Chess Association, presided. In presenting the prizes won daring tho coneresa tho chairman warmly complimented the competitors on the sportsmanlike spirit which had prevailed throughout. He referred to the keen interest the tourney had excited throughout the Dominion, and asserted that the championship bore with it the hall-mark of intellectual proficiency. Messrs. Dunlop, Miller, and Kelling, representing tho visiting players, testified to the excellent playing arrnngments of the local Management Committee. They eulogised Mr. Little, tho umpire, for his firm but kindly control of the games, and the secretary, Mr. Smith, for his courtesy and unremitting attention. They also expressed appreciation of the hospitality extended to them.

Mr. Grierson, who spoke highly of the play of tho champion, Mr. Dunlop, as also that of the leading prize-winners, regretted the absence, through illness, of tho quintuple champion, Mr. R. J. Barneß, of Wellington. Mr. Grierson recited an ainusinß original poem touching on the salient characteristics of the contestants. Mr. A. Wright* chairman of tho local Managing Committee, thanked the competitors for their kind expressions, and acknowledged the material assistance received from tho executive of the Workingmen's Club. Mr. Alfred Jowitt, a veteran chess player, and formerly a frequent Auckland representative at tho congress, stirringly extolled the good old Ramo, and concluded with a humorous recitation. The Lyric Quartetto sang several numbers, and Messrs, Ripley, Richards, Ryan, and Tait contributed solos. An instrumental finalo was rendered by a small contingent of members of the Yerbrugghen Orchestra.