Chess Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 40

Chess Items.

It is with deep regret that we learn from the Canterbury Times of the decease at Sydenham (Christchurch) of Mr H. S. Cocks, of Wc-lUngUm. The deceased has taken part in thive champion tournaments. In the tourney of 2894-95 he carried off the second prize, and in the tourney lately held at Christchurch he divided the second prize with Mr Mellor, of Dunedin. He was overtaken by illnws during his stay in Christchurch and died on the 22nd uist., at the age of 3L years. Mr Cocks was a teacher by profession and a chess player of great promise. Personally he was a general favourite, and Mh decease will be mourned by a large circle of friend*. Wo regret to find that the winner of the first prize in the first Otago Witness problem tourney for his two-move problem, inoJto "The Oyster," is accused of having stolen it from the well-known English composer Mr P. F. Blake. We sincerely hope that Mr Smith will bo able to show that this charge is groundless. Such a fraud as this accusation import? merits the severest censure, and may, perhaps, be found to be within the reach of the law. It would be unfair to Mr Smith to condemn him of such a serious offence before an opportunity has been given him of offering an explanation. It is enough to say at present that a competitor convicted of a fraud of this kind will be disqualified from coin pe tine in any future tourney in the Otago Witness, and it is not improbable that all other chess columns will approve aud adopt tha disqualification. Obtaining a prize by representing a composition as the original work of the competitor when it is not so is perilously near to obtaining money by false pretences. It it also obtaining by fraud the prize to which another person was entitled. We earnestly hope that no chessist will be found guilty of conduct of this kind. It is one of the glories of the game that it offers no encouragement to gambling and is the pastime of honourable men, who pursue it for honour and amusement only and not for gain. It is the duty of all lovers of chess to guard this characteristic and to exclude from their society any one who turns it to the purposes of fraud. " Examples of Chess Master Play,'' third series, by O. T. Blanchard, M.A.. London (British Chess Company). We have to thank Mr Blanchard for a copy of thu h.ndy little book. The third series will Keep up, if it does not increase, the reputation of the first and second series. It contalni 70 of the masterpieces of the last few years, the last being one in the Lasker-Steinitz match at Moscow, to it is quite up to date. The notes are explanatory rather than critical.