CHESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11187, 18 April 1922, Page 8

CHESS

AN EASTER MATCH. VISIT TO PALMERSTON NORTH. A team- of Wellington cbesa players journeyed to Palmerston North during the holidays and played a two-round match against the local club. . Mr M. A. Elliott (president) tendered a cordial welcome to the visitors, and stressed the value of inter-club contests. Some 25 years ago Rangitikei had an exceptionally strong chess team, which included amongst others such well-known players as Messrs Meldrum (the New Zealand champion), O. C. Pleasant (run-ner-up for Dominion championship), Hon. F. Arkwright, A. E. Remington, A. tFLoughlin, A. *Gifford, and F. 'C. Wilson. They hrfa no such giants in the district to-day, hut they must strive to emulate the great. deeds of the past. Visits from other clubb 'gave them the opportunity of seeing a greater variety of styles. In conclusion he assured the Weill ngtonlans that theiip visit was greatly appreciated, and ' trusted that they would 'have an enjoyable time during their stay in Palmerston. (Applause.) Mr F.. J. Brooker, president of the Ngaio C.C., returned thanks for the visitors, who, he added, had : been looking forward to the' trip for some time past. They were now meeting in Palmerston tor the third Easter in succession, but they had not yet had a return visit from the Palmerston club. He hoped that the Manawatu players would, in turn, invade Ngaio and Wellington, so that the city enthusiasts might be able to return the kindnesses shown them by their Manawatu comrades. (Applause.) The first round cave the visitors a useful lead (7—3). The Palmerston Club, which was unfortunately unable to put its. strongest forces into the battle, made a much better showing in the second round, but did not succeed in regaining; any of the ground previously lost. Many of the games were exceedingly hardfought, and the final figures must be regarded as rather flattering to the visitors, as they give no idea of the severity of the play. The Wellingtonians freely admit that in some instances they were lucky in avoiding losses;' or in scoring games that had a very drawish flavour. At the conclusion of the match, Mr Brooker (captain) returned thanks for the many kindnesses shown to the visitors, who, he ©aid, had had a delightful time. Their pleasure was added to when Mr H. R. Thorbum (vice-pre-sident) made the very welcome announcement that the Palmerston Club would be able to send l a team to Ngaio at an early date. The full score of the two rounds is as follows, Palmerson North players mentioned first:— Board I—M. A. Eliott 0. F. K. Killing 1; F. W. Connell 0, F. K. Kelling 1. Board 2 —A. Whitaker 0, D. Purchae 1; F. W. Connell 0, D. Purchas 1. Board 3—A. H. M. vVright 0, F. J. Brooker 2. Board 4 —H. R. Thornburn i, A. B. Topp Is. Board 5 —W. H.. Messenger I, B. E. Hicks I£. Board 6—K. Thornburn 1, W. Wring l. Board 7—T. A. Morine 2, S. Westbrook© 0. Board B—A. Stewart 0, F. Grady 2. Board 9 —A. E. Hodson l, W. R. Bock 0; J. B. Gerrard 0. W. R. Bock 1. Board 10 —G. Gilchrist 0. G. Gxeig 2. Totals—Palmerston. Nonth, 5; WeL lington, 15. THE NGAIO CLUB. NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. The ninth annual meeting of the above club was held in the Ngaio Schoolroom last week. Mr F. Brookei (president) occupied the chair. The annual,report stated that the past season was the most successful in the history of the club. Five inter-club matches were played, of which four were won, and one ended in a draw, via., ‘the return match against . the Wellington South C.C. The annual handioap tourney was won by Mr J. Lindsay (9 points), the second prize went to Mr F. J. Brooker (&i points), while Messrs A. B. Topp and W. J. Hicks tied for the third prize, the former winning the play-off. In class 11. Mr W. J. Hicks won the first prize, and Mr J. A. Glasgow the second prize (after playing off a tie with Mr A. J. Coleman). The brilliancy prize was won by Mr F t J. Brooker. The club championship for 1921 tfas won by Mr G. A. Jones. Mr J. Lindsay has won the tourney just completed to decide the 1922 champion, Mr A. B. Topp being the runner-up. The finances were in a satisfactory condition, but new members were needed, as several players had left the district, and there.were now only 14 members on the roll. Thanks were accorded, to all who had assisted with donations, and also to Mr Watts, who had offered a gold medal to be won outright by a member scoring three cham-

pionship wins, not necessarily in succession. The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously, gratification being expressed at the good showing made in last year’s inter-club fixtures. Mr A. B. Topu was also complimented on the close finishes brought about - by his handicapping. The election of officers resulted as follows Patrons, Messrs R. A. Wright, M.P., W. Watts, J. J. PAson, and J. B boa; president, F. J. Brooker; vice-pre-sidents, H. Hicks, sen., and E. B. Hicks; hon. secretary, H. Prince; bon. treasurer, J. A. Glasgow; committee, W, J. Hicks, G. G. Lowe, and the offioers ex-officio; match committee, A. B. Topp, E. E. Hicks, and S. Westbrooke: handicapper, A. B. Topp; delegate to N.Z. Chess Association, E. E. Hicks; delegates to Wellington Chess League, F. J. Brooker and H. Prince. ’ The forthcoming handicap tourney is to be on new lines, the handicap being bv sealed points instead of bv material. The meeting concluded with tba pre sentation of prizes won last year.