OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18909, 9 July 1923, Page 9

OBITUARY.

MR R. A. CLELAND,

On Friday morning there passed away in Dunedin Mr Robert A. Cleland, one of the foremost chess players of New Zealand. He was not only one of the strongest players, winning the championship of the local club three years in succession (after which he ceased to compote), and the championship of the dominion in 1898,' but ho shone m every branch of the game. lie was »n expert in the problem art, both as solver and composer, and acted as judge in several competitions which were arranged by the Otago Witness when the late Mr John Mouat so ably conducted its chess column. He was also a painstaking member of the Adjudication Committee. The New Zealand Chess Association (of which he was president, for some years) owes its present constitution to Mr Cleland’s efforts, and ho also took a, loading part in framing the rules governing match-play by telegraph. The well-known “Cleland Ladder” for grading and encouraging challenge play was the invention of Mr Cleland and his brother Hugh, and it has been adopted in many other branches of sport. The Otago Chess Club owed Mr Cleland a deep debt, as its splendid equipment of playing material, furniture, etc. (second to none in the Southern Hemisphere) was largely due to his energy and forositrht. Mr Cleland was elected president in 1895, and 25 years later the members again conferred this honour upon him. lie was on the committee almost without interruption for nearly two score years, and he also served as treasurer for some years. Two years ago the members recognised Mr Clelnnd’s many valuable services by conferring life membership upon him. Unassuming and generous as an opponent, Mr Cleland took a special delight in helping young players, and his lectures and demonstrations were full of valuable information. The sympathy of the chess comnnmitv of Now Zealand is with his widow and two sons in their great loss.