STMULTANEOUS CHESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 62

STMULTANEOUS CHESS.

A novelty in the shape of an exhibition of simultaneous play at chess took place at the Otago Chess Club's rooms on the 28th) when Mr J. Edwards, ex-champion of New Zealand and Otago, pitted himself single-handed' against 10 players, and also elected to oppose one player " sans voir" — i.e., without sight of the chess board. Before the contest commenced the Eev. A. T. Chodowski (president of the Otago Club) addressed the assemblage, and warned the senior members that no suggestions in any shape or form were to ' be made to those opposed in play to Mr Edwards. The rev. gentleman also took advantage of the occasion to tender congratulations to the Yen. Archdeacon Gould (of Oamaru) and Mr Edwards on their recent election to the positions of vice-presidents of the New Zealand Chess Association. — (Applause.) A start was then made with the performance, Messrs F. 3. Mouat and J. H. F. Hamel being appointed referees. The players opposed to Mr Edwards were Messrs J. H. Hinton, J. Hales, S. G. Hawkeg, G. Austin, B. T. Wade, A. Noy, F. DA. C. L'lsle, J. C. Ponsonby, W. Allen, amd H. G. Barnett, while Mr J. Crow undertook the role of defendant at the " sans voir" table. Play commenced at 8.15 o'clock, Mr Edwards opening in every instance with the King's Gambit, which, when accepted, he played with the bishop. Before an hour had elapsed it was seen that Mr Edwards would win the majority of the games easily, his opponents being evidently neophytes at chess. At 3.30 o'clock the match was over, Mr Ed-wards winning eight games, drawing one, and losing one, Mr B. T. Wade being the winner of the single game and Mr J. C. Ponsonby effecting the draw.

The " sans voir" exhibition proved somewhat of a failure, Mr J Crow defeating Mr Edwards easily in the brief space of 16 moves.

Before the meeting concluded the Rev. Mr Chodowski congratulated Mr Edwards on his success, and invited the players to attend at the club rooms next Wednesday evening, when, a match against the Duuedin Drainage amd Sewerage Board's employees was to take place. The rev. gentleman also announced that a further exhibition of sinruHaneous play would be given on the ev earing of July 8, when Dr W. Heinemann is to engage from 12 to 16 players in a single-handed contest.