NEW ZEALAND CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2589, 28 October 1903, Page 58

NEW ZEALAND CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

PROBABLE COMPETITORS Keen interest is being evinced in the forthcoming contest for the chess championship of New Zealand, which, in theatrical parlance, 13 "billed" to open at Wellington next Boxing Day. It 33 confidently expected, in view of the fact that the scene of battle is so centrally and favourably situated this year, that a larger array of competitors will face the boards than has been the case Jot many years past. The quidnuncs are already busily discussing the names of candidates likely to be selected by the various clubs as representatives at the congress ni chess talent, and the voice of the sporting tipster is loud in the land. One of these latter gentry button-holecJ the writer tho other day, and airily proceeded to g've his views on tho subject. "Now, you know," ?aid he, "there's that chap Htolhns, from Birmingham, who has been revelling in rural rusticity up Taranaki way. He claims to know a thing or two. Bet you he comes out of h:s ehell and, metaphorically, wipes the floor with the 'ot of 'em. You can also lay your boots on

the dead cert, that champion Grierson, of Auckland, will be a starter, and Forsyth, Balk, Kellmg and Mason (who ran a dead heat for second place last year) will be almost sure to breast tho tape again. The next point to be taken into consideration is those fellows who have either won or come perilously near winning club championships. Taking the clubs from north to south, you have Auckland, "VVaihi, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Wellington, Chriptchurch, Timaru, Oarnaru, and Dunedin. Napier, Clevedon, Gore, an<3 Inveroargill, of course, are out of it, not being affiliated to the New Zealand Chess Assooiation. My idea of the others, eliminating the names previously mentioned, is something like this: — Auckland— A. Lelievre, E. J. Miles. Hamilton— J. O. M'Crea, W. H. Worsley. Waihi— A. T. Kendrick. Palmerston North— A. Turner. Wangamn— H. B. Williamson. Wellington— A. I. Littlejohn, A. W. O. Davies, C. AY. Benbow. Wellington Working Men's— R. J. Barnes, J. A. Connell. Christchurch— C. M. Ponpard, H. J. Nightingale, G. H. Clutten. TimaTu— A. Cuthbert, T. Mara. Oamaru — P. Adair, Archdeacon Gould. Dunodin— H. Lyders, E. A. Cleland. What do you think?" Assured that he had made a good selection, b-*t had overlooked one small point, our Eporting friend queried, "What's that?" Then it was gently explained that any outaide chess player can compete on payment of two guineas entrance lee, and Napier, Clevedon, Gore and Invercargill may yet furnish a contingent. , Ejaculating, "Well, I declare, that never occurred to me!" our sporting friend went his ■way home.