Oscar Balk
Oscar Balk, 4/5/1864-11/1/1942.
A very enjoyable and interesting evening was I spent at the Otago Chess Club's rooms last evening. The president of the club (Mr H. J. Cleland) introduced Mr O. Balk, who gave a lucid and interesting lecture on Chinese and Japanese chess. The lecture was illustrated by diagrams. A vote of thanks to Mr Balk having been carried, a consultation game was arranged between Msssrs R. Clelland, J. W. Mellor, and O. Balk (white) against Messrs J. Monet, P. Lyders. and H. J. Cleland (black). The Evans Gambit was accepted for the opening, and this was followed by a spirited attack by White. Black successfully parried this, and after a stubborn fight queened a pawn and won the game about 11.30 o'clock.
-Evening Star, 12/6/1896.
N.Z. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY. (excerpt)
Mr O. Balk is a chess player of 14 years' standing. In 1886 he joined the Oxford City Chess Club (England), and played in several matches against the University Club. In a contest at Birmingham Mr Balk, the youngest member of the team, made the only win for his side. Mr Balk had five years' study subsequent to this in Yokohama, and held the championship there when he left. Since coming to Dunedin he has won several tournaments in the Otago Chess Club, but this was the first congress he has taken part in.
-Otago Daily Times, 5/1/1903.
DUNEDIN'S CHAMPION
Mr O. Balk's win of the Otago Chess Club's championship is a most popular one among chessists, and is nothing "succeeds like success," the champion should make an effort to bag the New Zealand championship at Christmas. His very fine score of 6 1/2 points out of a possible 8 (only one loss recorded) is indisputable evidence of consistent play.
Mr Balk previously held the club's championship in 1899. The game in this column numbered 518 illustrates the style of play the champion adopts when his opponent is ditto.
-Evening Star, 21/11/1903.
NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, September 14.
Mr O. Balk, of Messrs Balk and Co., of Dunedin, who arrived in the Old Country about the middle of June, has been enjoying life in these latitudes immensely. For a month he divided his time between London, the Thames Valley and Scotland, and then for six weeks toured in Germany. He is now in London again sightseeing and doing a little business. Mr Balk has decided to return to New Zealand by way of New York and Vancouver, joining the Marama at the latter port on October 9th. -NZ Times, 24/10/1908.
THREE CHAMPIONS OF THE OTAGO CHESS CLUB. H. J. Armstrong (1912), Mr K. A. Cleland (IS&S-7, 1909, 1911), Mr O. Balk (1899, 1903, 1913). The position shown on the board is an original three-mover by Mr Cleland.
-Otago Witness, 8/4/1914.
Sports of the Past and Present (New Series) No. 25, Mr O. Balk.
-Otago Witness, 10/1/1917.
OTAGO CHESS CLUB.
The “Evans Gambit” knock-out handicap tourney resulted in Mr Balk winning first prize and Mr Allen winning second prize. The thanks of the club are due to Mr W. G. Stenhouse for organising and conducting this very interesting practice in the Evans Gambit, and for his kindness in donating the prizes.
-Evening Star, 5/7/1924.
OBITUARY [2]
The death occurred at Wellington on Sunday of Mr Oscar Balk, who for many years was well known in commercial circles in Dunedin as a principal of the firm of Messrs Wilson, Balk and Co., Ltd. Mr Balk, who was in his seventy-sixth year, was born in Ipswich. England, and came to New Zealand as a young man, joining the firm of Messrs Kearns. Wilson, in which he subsequently became a partner. Mr Balk was closely identified with many sporting and other organisations in the citv. He was a foundation member of'the Otago Tramping Club, and also of the Balmacewen Bowling Club, and until recently he was annually a prominent and active figure at the bonspiel in Central Otago. He was patron of the Maori Hill Association Football Club, and for many years was an active member of the Dunedin Orphans' Club. Mr Balk was a member of the Otago Chess Club. He was a former president of the club and also of the New Zealand Chess Association. He is survived by four daughters.
For further info. about Balk's life see:
"In Loving Memory" (http://otagotaphophile.blogspot.com/2021/09/oscar-balk-451864-1111942.html)
NZ Chess Championships Results
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References:
[2] Obituary - Otago Daily Times 13 January 1942
[3] The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]