A LECTURE ON CHESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 61

A LECTURE ON CHESS.

Som« twenty players assembled in the Otago Chess Club*, rooms last Wednesday night to listen to a discourse on chess by Mr R. A. Cleland, an ex-champion of New Zealand. Mr S. S. Myers '(president) occupied the chair, and bespoke an attentive heaiing for the lecturer. Mr Cleland, who was greeted with applause, prefaced his remarks by dwelling xipon the necessity of securing early development in the game. With the assistance ol a large chessboard and chessmen he proceeded to illustrate methods of attack and defence, more particularly in the Ruy Lopez, Evans Gambit Declined, Queen's Gambit Declined, French Defence, and Petroffs Defence. Mr Cleland further pointed out the danger arising from " pins," " discovered checks," and " stalemates," and gave some striking examples from Cunnington's " Chess Traps and Stratagems.'' The lecturer's remarks were listened to with keen attention, and one or two of the audience showed their interest by asking questions. The discourse occupied an hour a/together, and at its conclusion the Rev. A. T. Chodowski arose and moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Cleland. The rev. gentleman remarked humorously that he wished the lecturer had dwelt longer on the pernicious habit indulged in by certain players of *' taking moves back,'' a sally which aroused much laughter, the speaker himself being notoriously a defaulter in this respect. Mr O. Balk also inveighed against the same practice. Ths motion was carried unanimously, and the players thereafter proceeded with their games.