CHESS.

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 18

CHESS.

'All communications for this department should be addressed to the Chess Editor, ‘“New Zealand Mail/' Lambton quay, Wellington. Wednesday, August 27, 1902. *** The Wellington Chess Club meet* every Tuesday and Friday evening at 7.30 at No. 21b, Willis street. Visitors are cordially welcomed. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM;' No. 2334. (a) 1 P to B 6 1 K takes P 2 Q to Q 3 mate (b) 1 K to It 5 2 Kt to B 3 mate (c) 1 Iy elsewhere 2 Q to B sq, mate PROBLEM No. 2335. (By Mrs IV. J. Baird.) First Prize "Manchester Weekly Times.’-' 1593. '' Black.

White. White to play ami mate in three moves. Position:—2 Q 2; 8; B 4 P 2; 3 k 2 P 1: 5 p 2; P 4 Kt 1 P; 8; K 7. MRS BAIRD'S PROBLEMS. Copies of the long-promised collection of Mrs W. J. Baird's chess problems have now arrived in Melbourne. The book is a very beautiful one—a quarto in shape, with two diagrams, exquisitely printed in colours, to tlie page. Mrs Baird made her first attempt at problem composition in ISSS; and >inee then she has composed at the average rate of more than one problem per week. Hence she speaks in her preface of her collection as being the product of the •‘labour and recreation of some 14 years’’—the “labour” because so many problems could not have been produced ‘•without persistent application partaking of the nature of work;” the ‘'recreation” because the work “has been a pleasure—how great a pleasure only a composer can fully realise.” The collection consists of 256 two-movers : 315 threemovers; 24 four-movers; and 5 five-mov-ers; together with 70 self-mates in from two to six moves. There are also a few problems in letter-press, six of which are described as the latest of Mrs Baird's compositions.

Many of the selected positions have received prizes, and honourable mentions, particulars as to which are given immediately after the preface. Each of the positions is credited to the journal in which it was originally published: and the full solution of each of the problems is given at the end of the collection. Mrs Baird claims in her preface that to the best of her belief her book does not contain "a single instance of a dual continuation.” At the end she takes leave for the present, of the lovers of chess problems. Her good-bye isf as follows:

My task is done; and, like the bard of old, My toils are over: and my tale is told; Net still I pause beneath til' enchanter’s spell— And hesitate to say the word ‘farewell ” But howso we may linger o’er the past,' The parting word must be pronounced at last.

So critics all, I thank your kind attention To these few pages of my poor invention; Whether your verdict be for good or ill— In praise or blame—yes—l would thank you still.

But should I one approving glance descrv My goal is numbered—or, in fact, if I * One smile—one joy—one pleasing look have won. Then farewell, all, my destined task is done.” —“Australasian.”

NOTES. Appended to the programme of the Hanover Tourney of the German Chess Association in the May number of the "British Chess Magazine” was the remark:—“We hope that the prospective end of the South African war will enable Englishmen to go to Germany for a few weeks without the risk of being insulted.” Herr Aliquis, the chess editor of “Die Bohemia,” promptly rejoined that tlie remark was both ‘‘baseless and ridiculous.” Of course. "Mr Chamberlain could scarcely count on an enthusiastic Continental welcome; but Mr Blackburne, Mr Mason and every other English chess master may fare to Hanover in peace; and may win ns many games as lie can without fear of having his national prejudices offended. Up to the present, there has been no intrusion into the do--111 w* , international chess contests of political, social and religious differences.”