CHESS CONGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6494, 14 April 1908, Page 7

CHESS CONGRESS

WILE OPEN EASTER MONDAY. FULL LIST OF COMPETITORS, Thoro are fourteen entrants for the Choss Congress, which will open in Wellington on Easter Monday. The record number for such a congress in Now Zealand is sixteen. The full list of entrants, inclusive of those whose names uero published in yesterday’s ‘•New Zealand Times, n is as follows: — J. Freeman, Auckland Working 'Men's Cluß. C. Sainsbnry, Gisborne Choss Club. J. A. Connell, Wuiroa Choss Club. M. S Stewart, Canterbury Choss Club. F. K ummor, Mastcrton Chess Club. Rev. A. Fox, Tinwald. R. J. Barnes, Wellington Working Men’s Club. F. K. Kelling, Wellington. A. W. O. Davies, Wellington. 11. L. James, Wellington. Rutherford, Wanganui Chess Club Edwards, Otago Chess Club. Pleasants, Rangitikei Chess Club. B Mason, Auckland.

' Amongst the notable absentees from this year’s tourhey are "Cleland and Forsyth, of Dunedin, W. B. Alason, and W. Alackay, of Wellington, an i J. C. Grierson, of Auckland, all of whom arc ex-chamjiions, and Miles, of Auckland, a former second prizewinner and a frequent competitor at tho congress. Tho absence of these players will, no doubt, rob the contest ”ot much of its interest and make tho championship an easier feat for tho winner.

Amongst the entrants there are three ox-champions—Barnes, Davies and Edwards; and tbroo former prize winners—Selling, B. Alason and James. The team ns a whole probably repre sents tho strongest form of chess play to be found in the Dominion. PERSONAL NOTES.

Personal notes of a number of the players appeared in the ‘‘New Zealand Times” yesterday. The following remarks apply to those whose entries W'oro not recorded there:

• Rutherford, of Wanganui, is quite a young pin yet I ,' having not yet completed ins education. He took part in one of tho earlier cbngresses and showed marked aptitude for the game. His lack of opportunity for practice has left him a little below the championship standard, but he comes of a clover family and is expected to give a good account of himself.

Edwards ’'Otago Chess Club) has attended the Congress regularly for many years and succeded on one occasion in capturing the championship. Ho is a dashing player, but somewhat unsound. Ho is always a dangerous opponent and on occasion shows much brilliancy.

Pleasants (Rangitikoi Chess Club) has also been a regular attendant at the Congress. Owing to isolated residence, so far as chess is concerned, ho has few opportunities of measuring his skill with the better players. To this is generally ascribed his fail ure to capture the championship in former years. On one or two occasions ho has gained the second prize. It ha-s been noticed that Mr Pleasants exhibits his weakest play in the early stages of the contests, evidently improving later with the experience of tho first few days.

The winner of tho championship last year was Mr Viner, of Perth, AV.A. Ho is unable to come across this year, and so will forfeit tho championship without a struggle. It had been hoped that tho champion of Victoria would take part in this year’s congress, but he also is unable to make tho trip.