CHESS TOURNAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 67

CHESS TOURNAMENT.

THE SOCIAL. A very enjoyable social took placs on the sth in tb.9 rooms of the Otago Chess Club, at which <he players who had taken part in the tournament were entertained. The president of the club (Mr G. D. Wright) was chairman, and there were ako present .Messrs J. F. Arnold, M.P., A. E. Barclay, D. R. Hay (chcts and draughts editor, Melbourne Weekly Times), D. A. De Maus, J. Stone, 0. Balk, L. Warsaw, J. O'Dwyer, P. Goldenstedt, S. S. Myers, J. L. Flint, R. A. Cleiand, H. Armstrong, G. Holmes, F. J. Mouat, Dr W. M. St&nhouse, and the Rev. J. S. Ponds r. The Rev. Mr Chodowski and Mr J. Crow sent apologies for absence. The proc€£<lings were of an extremely pleasing nature, the scngs and recitations contributed bein^ of unusual merit, ajid the speeches bright, humorous, and happy. Mr J. Edwards proposed the " New Zealand Chciss Association." He briefly re--1 ferred to the history of the organisation. The ■first congress was held in 1891, their worthy friend (Mr R. J. Barnce) being president, and several times champion. It had seemed as if he would have been champion this year, but he was beatsn by Mr Killing. He was glad to see Mr Kelliri£ champion, for he deserved his win. There was no doubt about the benefits the association bad conferred on New Zealand cii^is, and he hoped it would grow and prosper. Mr A. R. Barclay (vice-president of the New Zealand Chess Association) responded. He had net perhaps been a particularly useful member of the association, but he could speak with some emphasis of the good work that that body could ba credited with. That the existence of 6uoh a body was justified went without saying, for every kind of sport called for government by 1 poms centre and representative body. Some c'issatiofaccion had been expressed with the time at which the congress had been held, but he merely mentioned the fact, and did not attempt to epeak with any authority or offer any opinion. He did believe, however, that the woak spot in New Zealand chess was th-a very small number of new or young players coming forward. He thought that the young chess players should bo encouraged in every possible way. He was glad to see the members of the congress once more together, and trusted that the tournament had served to cement old friendships a.nd create new ties among New Zealand chess players, and he was )*artieularly glad to welcome Mr Barnes. He congratulated Mr Kelling on the honour that he had achieved. Mr- J. H. F. Hamsl proposed "The Champion." He referred at length to Mr Kelling's qualities, ; professionally, personally, socially, and as a chess pl-ayer. Speaking of Mr Kelling's play, he said that he had "a. fine, broad, manly grasp of strategy. He never d-escerx'od t-o little means by which to win a game — his play was always on a grar.d plan." Mr Hamel went on to refer to Mr Kelling's services to ths Chess Association of New Zealand, and said that he hoped this would bs only the first of many occasions on which he would win the championship. — (Aup'ause.) Mr Kelling, the champion, briefly responded. He referred to a number of interesting incidents in connection with the recent and other tournaments, and mentioned ths gratifying fact that there had been on this occasion no ties on the scora sheet. Mr O. Balk proposed " The Prizewinners." a toast that was responded to by Messrs Barnes, Davie-s, end Mason. Other to.aats wore "The Losers," "The Otago Che/js Olub," "The Ladies," "The Press," and "Parliament." Songs and recitations were rendered during the evening by Messrs P. J. Blackmail, DA. De Maus, T. M. Gillies, and 0. Balk. Mr R. Behnall was accompanist.