Photograph of Joseph W. Mellor with members of the Chess Congress

c. 1892

Pictorial Collection: c/nF248/13. Hocken Collections

Unpublished

This photograph depicts members of various New Zealand chess clubs who attended the Chess Congress in Christchurch in 1892-93. Mellor (on floor) attended, and he leans away from his rival R.J. Barnes (with open book on lap) of Wellington, who eventually won the championship that year. At one stage Mellor played Barnes. He adopted the Ruy Lopez opening, but soon developed a cramped game. At the 27th move Barnes won a knight for a pawn; at the 36th move Mellor won a pawn, and at the 55th a draw was agreed upon. Other notable players include A. Lelievre (with walking stick) and the bearded Cantabrian Henry Hookham next to him.