Chess Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 38

Chess Items.

Judging from the remarks which appear in Mr Wallace's chess column in the Daily Telegraph (Sydney), the postponement of the match bctwecu him and Mr Esli.-ig has given rise to a little toroness. As the challenge came from Mr Kslings side, it is certainly to be regretted that there fcbould be any cleUy on his part in "coining up to tbe scratch." but seeing that lie is an ortieer in the public service of Victoria, every allowance, in reason, should be made. All that can be said is that he shiiuld not have been a party to sending a clmllbtige unltss and until he wai ready to entor the lists. „,,-, Tnis in tho season when most chess club 3 hold their annual meetings. It is a gratifying fact to lover* of the game that every year shows an increase in the number of clubs and in the number of member* in each. The Wellington Club has now secured accommodation solely for itself, and can play on every day of the week. Mr Benbow, who has worthily presided over the institution for so many yeats, was elected president for the fifteenth timp. borne of tho mem bets at the meeting claimed that it was now th« champbn club of the colony, on the ground tbat it had won telegraph marches against the O mterbury and Otago U übs. With regard to the Oantoibnry Club, it must be said that it still bus a number of victories over the Wellington Club standing to its ere lit As regards the Otago Club it may be uKo s ii<l that the Oca;o Club was notdefeat. d on its merits. Two pUyers in the l^st match, who ceitainly had excellent positions, lost tbrough errors in notation. One game ouly was actually finished, and that w-s won for Olago. The self-glorification of members of the Wei ington Club does not appuxr to have a very safd foundation. Tbe utterance* will, however, it h to be hoped, have the < ffect of stimuUtiug the other clubs to honourable rivalry for the foremost 1)1 ACC The Canterbury Club has cha'l»ngcd the Wellington Club to play a match of three games by correspondence. The challenge has been accepted. Such a match is a far bettor to<t of ability than a telegraphic match, especially as the game 3 can be played out, and the play is not liable to the unpleasant concomitants of long sittings, errors in notation, and disputes, which somothnes arise in playing by telegraph. It has also the inestimable advantage of bfiiug more instructive to the players coiu-erned, and more interesting to outside chessists. A hope may be expressed tint the everlasting dull and hackneyed Ruy Lopez opening will not be adopted in the match. Iha Southern California correspondence tourney is a good example to follow. At the auuual meeting of the Timaru Chess Club Mr 11. R. Taylor was re-elected president and Mr T. D. Young secret u-y. Ten new members were elected. The annual meeting of the Wellington Chess Club was held on the Ist inst. The roll comprises GS members. Mr C. W. Benbow was elected president: Dr James, Messrs A. J. Littlejohn, W. F Birrand, J. G Anderson, Thomas Turnbull, E. Samuel, A. J. M'Tavisli, and F. Arkwrigat, vice-presidents ; and Mr 11. C. Skeot, hon. secretary aud treaiuror. At the annual mating of the Ponsonby (\uckland) Chess OlubDr Be \ls was elected pie-nlent and Mr M. Faire hon secretary and treasurer. The Ot-.igo Chcis Club have seemed new and commodious accommodation in Liverpool stre-.t, immediately over the chambers occupied hy the Hon. W. D. Stewart, solicitor. It will now be in the power of the club to set apart a separate io"m for players of the gentler sex, should they dcs re to join the club. The position of the club rooms is central, the rooms are well lighted and away from the noise of stre9t traffic, aud tha neighbourhood is highly respectable