Australian Centennial Chess Congress.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 17 February 1888, Page 29

Australian Centennial Chess Congress.

We have very much pleasure in reprinting the followiug remarks from the Chrietchurch Weekly Press, as they coincide with our views on the subject. As chess was never in such a flourishing condition in New Zealand as at present, we trust our players will take vigorous measures to iecure worthy representatives to this important congress „_•< j n view of the great chess congress which is to take place in Melbourne about October next, it behoves the chess enthusiasts and players of New Zealand to begin to consider what steps shonld bo taken to have this bolony ably represented. At the late congress in Adelaide, New Zealand was certainly represented, and though it was admitted that the ebtecmtd president of the Canterbuiy Cubbs Club had done remarkably well, yet it cannot be said that from his performances over there we can gather the true relative merits of the respective 'cracks' of New Zealand and tho. great; players on the 9t>herside. Tho Melbourne Congress will, of course, be open to any player who likes to go from New Zealand, but we think the principal clubs should between them send a player or playets to officially represent this colony. A suggestion has been made that tho principal clubs in New Zealand should, by instituting tourneys, or by some other means, find out who is the best "player in each club. After this has bpen done, thtt clubs could find some means of deciding which ot these players should represent us. Wo think Ihf idea a capital one. The congress is to be open to the world, and it will probably be a very long time betore such another chess event takes place so near home. The noble game i 3 flourishing ■wonderfully in New Zealand at present., and why— if wo take the proper steps to send our best players across— should we not be able to appropriate a share of the prize money, and be ranked in the chess world as we are entiHed lo be? The scheme we would propose is shortly this : to write to, say the Dunediu, Wellington, Auckland, and JSapier Chess Clubs requesting thrm to hold a challenge tourney. There would probably be only two or three entries in each clnb, and the tourney would consequently not takfe long. After this had be»n done it would be for the officers of th« different clubs to consider the best means of deciding which of these winners should officially represent this colony. We commend the proposal to the different clubs, and hope proceedings therewith will be initiated sbortty."