Chess Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 40

Chess Items.

The last English mail bring 3 the news of -the death of Mr W. H. K. Pollock, the well-known Enplish player, but probably better known as the editor of the chess column iv the Baltimore (U.S.A.) Sunday News. A few months ago Mr Pollock retired from the editorship, and journeyed to Bristol in the hope of improving' his health, but the bronchial affection from which he was suffering developed into consumption, and he died in October last at the early age of 37 years. He took part in and obtained a good place in seyeral international tournaments, but he was best known as ah analyst and in connection with the chess column which he conducted, and which has often been quoted for its originality and humour. In the international tournament held in New York in 1889 he gained the brillancy prize, which he played for' against Herr Weist— a Ruy Lopez, in which Mr • Pollock played the defence. The . game is given in Mr Mason's " Principles of Chess," second edition, page 253. Mr Pollock was an Irishman by birth, and' like most of his countrymen, had a keen sense of humour. His loss will be regretted by all who have anything to do with the literature of the game. The Morning Post states that an infant chess prodigy has been discovered in the person of Master Aaion Niemzovitch, the nine-year-old son of a merchant of Riga, in Southern Russia. We always thought Riga was in Northern Russia, but possibly they may have changed all that since we were at school. The Morning Post gives one of his games with notes, and it appears in this issue. It is wonderful chess for a boy of 9 years. Thirteen masters took part iv the tourney at Buda-Pesth— namely, Messrs Albin, Oharousek, Jauowski, Marco, Moroczv, Nod, Pillsbury, Popiel, Schlechter, Tarrasch, Tchigorin, Walbrodt, and Winawer. It has already been announced by cablegram that .Tchigorin won the first prize. Lacker and Steinitz did not compete, being otherwise encased. It does not appear being held over. It appears in this issue, and presents somewhat unusual features. In the championship tourney of the Rangitikei Chess Club the competitors are Messrs Meldrum (chamnion of New Zealand), Pleasants, O' Uoughlin, and Giff ord, and the score .on the 21st ult. was as under: — Wins. Losgea. Drawn. ' Meldrum ... v , 3 0 0 Pleasants.., A, • 1 2 0 Gifford v. 0 1 0 O'Loughlin \ ... 0 2 0 Each has to play two games with every other player. The first game between Messrs Meldrum and i O'Loughlin appears above. \ Of 26 games played by Pillsbury in Europe against Lasker, Steinitz, and Tarrasch, he won 11, i lost 9, and 6 were drawn. He was also 'on the t winning side in four consultation games in which 1 the same players were engaged.