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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1933

Chess Club

Chess Club

This year has been most successful as far as the Chess Club is concerned. The playing year was opened by a simultaneous exhibition. Mr. L. C. King played all comers. This is the only ceremonious occasion that has been held this year, though the ordinary club evenings have been held regularly in the Gymnasium balcony, at first fortnightly, and, since April, weekly. Attendances at these evenings have been small, but constant, and it is constant practice that makes the good chess player. All comers, be they members or visitors, are assured of a game at these evenings.

The club has had the temerity to enter a team in the B Grade Championship Competition of the Wellington Chess League, and the maintaining of this team has been the greatest activity of the year. We have been fortunate in having the services of Mr. L. C. King as sole selector. It is not always easy to get a 'Varsity team together. The Club team has suffered many last minute changes, and on one occasion was forced to play two short. But in spite of such handicaps the Club has far from disgraced itself in its combats with other Wellington Clubs. Six matches have been played to date, of which the results are:—
Brooklyn Fire Brigade (2 defaulted) 5 Varsity 1
Wellington Working Men's Club 6 Varsity 0
Wadestown 5 Varsity 1
Ngaio 5 Varsity 1
Hutt 2 Varsity 4
Miramar Varsity 1½

There are three more matches to play, before the end of the Competition, and the Club means to acquire a few more points before it is all over.

Owing to lack of a clubroom and equipment, the team has played most of its matches as visitors to other clubs. Wherever it has gone it has been heartily welcomed. The Club has been able to extend hospitality on two occasions only. The first time the use of the Geology Lab. was granted, but the second time we had to resort to the Gym—not the most comfortable of places. The committee is at present racking its collective brain for ways and means of providing a decent room, and of obtaining full match equipment.

Chess is a game that can be played at all times and seasons. It is an excellent way of passing both cold winter nights and wet summer afternoons, less expensive than Two-up and less dangerous that Bridge. It is a game full of interest and never twice the same. Its popularity throughout the ages is shown by constant literary references, from Punch and the inimitable authors of "1066" to Omar Khayyam. Women have been heard to mourn the day that men first saw a golf ball, but no one has ever been known to regret having learned to play chess. Roll up and learn, everyone. Given a few more members the Club may enter two teams in the Chess League competition next year.