In June, 1889, a match by correspondence was arranged between the Victorian Chess Club and the Hobart Chess Club, arising out of a challenge by the latter.

Messrs. Witton, Mayston and Crewe were, in the first instance, appointed to conduct the match for the Victorian club.

It was provided that two games should be played concurrently under the usual rules regulating contests of this character.

The Hobart club, which has been represented in this match by Mr. F. J. Young, the leading player in Hobart, and by Messrs. F. M. Young, Burn, Strathern, and Dr. Payne, chose for the game in which it had first move, the form of the King's Gambit known as the Allgaier-Thorold debut.

This is a brilliant and attacking game, but it was very enterprising and chivalrous for the Hobart players to adopt it in a game where facility is afforded for more exact analysis in the defence than is possible in ordinary play.

The Victorian club players, not to be altogether behind in enterprise, adopted the Evans Gambit, which entered the phase affected by some strong modern players.

Soon after the commencement of hostilities, Messrs. Mayston and Crewe withdrew from the match and Mr. Brockelbank joined Mr. Witton.

Before any progress was made, however, another change took place in the directorate, by the resignation of Mr. Brockelbank, who was succeeded by Mr. J. M. Connell, who, with Mr. Witton, carried the games to a finish.

The first game to be decided was the Evans Gambit, which was declared a draw in December last.

This game presents no striking features, due no doubt to the fact that the Victorian players resolved rather early to get back the gambit pawn; and, in so doing, abandoned the attacking possibilities which this trenchant, but intricate gambit so frequently offers.

The other game has proved an interesting and exciting one, both attack and defence being ably maintained.

In fact the Evans game suffered from the absorption of energy required for the elaborate analysis required for the fellow game, which will, we think, be considered one of the best games played in Australia.

Just before going to press we learn that the Victorian Club players have tendered their resignation in this game.

We heartily congratulate the Hobart Club players on their well earned victory, and the play by which they have been enabled to consummate it.

This is the first match of the kind which has been played in Australia; and, apart from the great interest attaching to one of the games, will remain a noteworthy event in our chess annals.

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