Chess Hems.

Otago Witness, Issue 2230, 26 November 1896, Page 40

Chess Hems.

Mr B. G. Lawes, the distinguished problemist, has called our attention to an error which occurred in tbe Witness Che»3 Column of August 27 last by attributing the authorship of the very able articles on cheßß problems whioh lately appeared in the British Chess Magazine to Mr Itayner. It was only on attention being called to the fact that we noticed that this had really, through some singular Geistesabwesenbeit, happened. Our apologies are due, and horeby tendered to Mr Lawes for the mistake, and to Mr Bayner for taking his name in vain.

It will be remembered that the subject of rules for the conduot of telegraphic matches was considered at the meeting of the New Zealand Chess Association at Wanganui, and the matter wax re* ferred to a committee to consider and offer suggestions. This was done, and several suggestions were made and sent to Mr Skeet, the hon. secretary of the association in Wellington. Mr Skeet has since drawn up a series of different rules founded on those suggestions, and forwarded copies to the members of the committee. Mr Skeet has taken commendable gains in putting the different proposals into proper form, and hia attention is deserving of ackoowledginent and thanks. The questions involved will no doubt be fully considered at the next meeting of the association. The experience gained in the late tolagraphic match between the Otago and Wellington Chess Ciubs shows that when such matches are carried out in a proper spirit rules are little needed. It is singular that several of the existing rules of the game are aimed at forbidding things that are absolutely coutraiy to good manners and manly conduct. The existence of a penal law is evidence of the existence of cooducl deserving punishment. Why should chess-players need laws forbidding mean and dishonourable conduct ? Surely, of all men, they should bs the last to need them.

We have received a circular regarding tho Australian Chess Congress proposed to be held at Warm ambool, Victoria, in January next. It is unfortunate that earlier notice w«a not given to New Zealand players, mid that the time appointed is the same on which tho annual congress of the New Zealand Chess Association is to be held. If the Warrnambool Congress could be postponed to the middle or end of January, it might perhaps be found possible for New Zealand to send an accredited representative.

The Australian Chess Annual, edited by Mr Bignold, is a very creditable production, and well werth the price of one shilling. As might have been expected in a first attempt, the information it affords is somewhat incomplete. Mi Biguold has not mat with the sympathetic assistance which he might reasonably have expected from the secrataries of club 3of whom he asked information. This is more particularly noticeable in the case of Victoria. Mr Bigaold says : " Many months ago I addressed a circular letter to gentlemen connected with chess throughout Victoria. In this I asked for information as to their respective clubs, and stated that it was desired for incorporation in the annual. In most cases my applieaf ioas have bsen ignored. The part devoted to New Zealand is conmbnted by Mr J. C. Audersen, of Ghristchurch, and is well and accurately done The list of clubs > is not, however, complete, owing probably to negligence on the part of tho office-bearers to furuish ihe iufoixnation. One omission is to he regretted — namely. the names of the officers of the New Zealand Chess Association. No doubt when the value of Mr Bignold's little work is known more p.uns will be taken to furnish the needed information and the next edition, intended to be published next July, will be much more complete. A correspondent of the British Chess Magazine, writing from Hobart, Tasmania, and whose letter appears in the October number of the magazine, forcibly calls attention to the absurd consequences which sometimes result from some of the penal rules of the chess code. Unfortunately the illustrations he gives from actual play cannot easily be made intelligible without diagrams, for which we have not apace. He concludes by saying :— " It really seems monstrous that games can be legally won in such an easy fashion just by reason of an inadvertence which cannot be fairly described as a honafide chess blunder ; and yet ia tourney play where others are concerned one has no_ option but to make the most of the penalty which the law allows." This is very true. While the law exists it must be obeyed ; and the difficulties in the way of getcing the laws of a game practised throughout the world altered are almost insuperable. Democracy can have full sway in a small State ; in a vast empire it is powerless.

The same number of the magazine announces the decease at the age of 66 years of Mr E. Freeborough, of Hull, well known through his books on the game and bis contributions to that jouroal. Speaking of the deceased, the British Chess Magazine bays: — "Mr Fieeborough culiiv.ted a style which bore the impress of distinct individualitybrilliancy combined with, no small amount of soundness. He was specially fond of the ' Allgaier Gambit' and the ' Kiezeritzky ' and ' Thorald ' ramifications. Personally Mr Freeborough, though somewhat retiring in disposition, was possessed of a great fund of quiet humour, and he was highly esteemed by those who knew him best."

The Annual Congress of the New Zealand Chess Association. — The interesting and Important tournament of the above congress will this year be held at Christchurch, and will begin on December 26 next. Entries will close on the 15th of the '-same month. The prizes offered are : First, £15 and the championship of New Zealand; second, £10; third, £5. There will be a problem competition, and a prize of £1 each for the best two-move and three-move problems respectively. This is open to the whole of Australasia ; an entrance fee of 2s Od is required from each competitor, to form a fund to be divided between the prize-winners. One problem only from each competitor will be accepted. Entries will close on December 10, and problems intended to compete must be forwarded to Mr Cant, hon. secretary of the Canterbury Chess Club, care Press Company, Ltd , Christchurch. Each problem must bear a motto, and the composer's name must be sent in a sealed envelope bearing the motto outside.