GISBORNE CHESS CLUB

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 15

GISBORNE CHESS CLUB

SUCCESSFUL YEAR ANNUAL REPORT -The annual report of the Gisborm Chess (lab lo be submitted to the gen end meeting to-morrow evening is iv follows: "Tho past year has been a successfu, one in mauy respects. The membership rose from 20 lo 25, seven newi player* joining and two leaving. Unfortunately the two latter were the late -Mr. A. 11 Schlichting, ex-club champion, and Mr G. fl. Seddon, the club champion. Youi committee accepted Hamilton's challengi for the Blackburn Cup, preferring lo set it travel rather than hold it without matches. Hamilton won it by 6^ — tin margin leaving us unconvinced. Accord tngly a teritntice challenge from (lis borne has been notified to them and i. is to be confirmed by May 1. "There is a possibility that Hue. clubs will compete fry telegraph thi: year. After losing the cup we oiferei Napier-Hastings a match at Wairoa foi the Fischbach Hook, the East Coasi trophy which Napier-Hastings wfestei from us the previous year. Hasting could not undertake the trip and Napiei sport ingly Brought the rook to Wairoa Tho Wairoa club acted as hosts' << their northern and southern neighbour: aud made the event a memorable one It was the biggest chess gathering eve: assembled north of Napier on this cons! 31 players participating."

The mentions that in ordui | to balance the teams for the match, which was held at Perry's studio, sUi tion 2ZP, the Wairoa club split lb. strength. It state's further:' "As IhT purely Gisborne-Napier boards showed a majority of wins for Gisborne, am" the mixed' boards also favoured us, \vi brought home the rook. Napier intend: coming to Gisborne this year for tin trophy. "Mr. W. J. Fairbimi represented lit at congress and battled strongly in tin minor tournament, Though unplaced his performance was very creditable Mr. G. P. Anderson, our representnUvi on the New Zealand association's e.vecn live for many years, was in close toucl with us throughout the year, as alsi was Mr. J, R. McCVea while in Wei Hngton. During Mr. McCrea's absent in England, Mr. F. K. (veiling acte< for him. so our interests were wel looked after. STRENGTHENING THE CLUB "The visit of Mr. C. .1. S. Purely Australian and New Zealand chess chain pion, was periiaps the most outstanding event of ally The good cannot be readilj assessed, but as we come across other, who met him we begin to see something of the work he has done in Nev. Zealand. Some practical suggestions fo; strengthening the dub, for example tin formation of a chess library, are in ou, possession, thanks to Mr. i'urdy. "The reinstatement of the ladder com petition is forecast. Mr. F. T. Vennint held the top rung when it was soi aside. The tournament went forwan with a swing and was won, by Mr. M McMahon, Mr. M. F. Robinson beinj runner-up. Mr. A. W. Hampton was awarded the prize for best progress Your committee was concerned to fine a lack of interest towards the close o the tournament and the Waikanai Stakes' competition was*, dropped! to\ want ot more entries. There was a fieh of 11 in the championship, however and this event, which was run too closi to the end of the season, lay between Messrs. R. ■!. Thompson and 1 F. I Venning. They met in three games, anc at the close they had. Had a draw aw a win each.

"During the recess, a gloom was ens' over the club bv the death in Welling ton of Mr. Gus. Schlichting. He had written complimenting Gisborne on the fine stand made against Hamilton and for recovering the rook and looked for ward to playing for Gisborne again The club was well represented at his funeral at Taruhcni. three of our mem hers-being pall hearers. "Accommodation : - Your eommittei has been urged time and again to ex lend. All possible were explored and you now have a full lime clul room. We moved in on Thursday of this week. Facilities to cope with the requirements of Gisborne are available The subscription should ho 17s 6d per annum, reducible to 15s on prompt tender, and telegraph games 2* 6d per filayer per night, while championship fees have to be decided."

The report concludes with thanks to the press for publishing reports on the club's activities.