Chess Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 2232, 10 December 1896, Page 40

Chess Items.

The British Chess Club has challenged the Brooklyn CheßS Club for a return chess match by cable, *to be played early next year under conditions similar to those which governed last match. It is to be hoped that the Britis-h players will pull off the match this time— not that our sympathies are more on one side than the other, but in the interest of the game. To lose n second time would have a monoteny about it discouraging to the losine side, and might prevant any more such matcaes being attempted. Mr W. G. Grace, son of Dr Grace, the famous cricketer, is a chess player, and lately took part in one of Mr Blackburnn's simultaneous demonstrations. In view of a second edition of his work on "Chess Endings," the late Mr Kreeborough invited his readera to point out any inaccuracies detected in the work. The Leader (Melbourne) says that Mr Baling devoted considerable time to the examination of the work, and, assisted by Mr Whitton, he has prepared a list which is piven in the Leader. Persons having copies of the work will do well to correct them hy Mr Esling's list. The book is a most valuable one, but in all works of the kind it is difficult, if not impossible, to secure absolute accuracy, even by the exercise of the greatest care in revision.In the present case the corrections are not numerous. The publication of the Chess < Monthly in its present form came to an end with the issue of a double number for July and August last. Mr Hoffer proposes to begin a second 'series, but his plans are not yet matured. H<s says be is compelled with great reluctance " to forego the luxury Qf further deficits." Mr A. F. Mackenzie, the well-known problem composer, who a few month* ago bade farewell to his art owing to loss of Bight, now happily finds that lie is not debarred from problem composition by this cause ,and he is a contributor to the Leeds Mercury problem tourney, three of his problems being composed entirely sans voir. Iv a letter to the editor he says : " When the conditions of your tourney were read to me I passed them by .13 a thing that little concerned me now. I never dreamt I would be able to take part. It is only quite recently I found by experiment, to my surprise, I could compose almost as easily without vision as with it " The Leeds Mercury adds :— " All chessists will rejoice to know that the noted problemist. is still able to find solace and amusement in his favourite pastime in his severe affliction." Assuredly they will The Auckland Weekly News says :— " Li Hung Chang has the reputation of being one of the best cbe<s players in China. The Pall Mall Gazette is authority for the statement that the only antagonist whom Li has not defeated is the Emperor, and adds: 'One can imagine weighty reasons for the grand old Chinaman refusing to checkmate his august master.' It is not stated whether it is tho Chinese game or the game known to us which the Oriental statesman can play. As is well known, they differ greatly from each other." How many chess players hava been returned at the election? In Dunedin there is Mr J. A. Millar, for Wellington Sir Robert Stout. Outside the large towns we know of Mr Pirani, Major Steward, and some others. In the last Parliament chess as a recreation had taken the place of other inferior amusements. It is true members of the House when it is in session have, if they attend to their duties, little or no time for recreation. But 1 to tise the language which Lo-d Oiislow applied l to the Labour members, chessi-ts are " earnest, I thoughtful men," more given to thinking thau speaking, and perhaps in an enlightened future a candidate may find it to his advantage to announce hiamelf a chess player. A man's character may be judged by his amusements. The Beigianß are the greatest potato-eaters, and the Irish come second. In Spain and Italy the tinder-box still keeps %s wound io rural district*