Alfred William Gyles
Evening Post 10 April 1906
1905 Petherick Shield handicap tourney was played in three sections, followed by a final round, the result being —
First prize, A. W. Gyles (class V.);
Falkirk Herald - Wednesday 01 September 1915
German Measles
Evening Post 4 September 1916
At War
Gyles in England, ca. 1919
Purdy’s 1935-36 tour of New Zealand
8 January (afternoon): first match-game with Gyles (adjourned);
9 January (afternoon): won the adjourned game and the second game with Gyles; (evening)
New Zealand Personalities - A. W. GYLES [2]
Well known, not only in New Zealand., but in Austlalia and England, A. W. Gyles iearned to play chess at the age of eight and first represented Wellington in a telegraphic match against Auckland in 1904 when he was 16 years old. At 17 he won the Petherick Shield (hanclicap) and took part in his first congress flve years later, 1910. His record in the N.Z. chamPionship is a sPiendid one. In 20 attrmpls, he lras been twice chanrpion and has on no less than four occasions tied for' first Place and lcst the play-off. Including these, he was second 11 times and fourth on two occasions. He has wo;r four briiiiancy plizes, one best recovery and one qualifying Prize, making a total cf 21 Prizes in 20 congresses. Sulely a formidable record. He is the Present Wellington CIub champion and, besides holding that title in severai ),ca.ls, he ltas annexed thc All-Welkington championship no less than 15 times (no other player has won more than twice) a feat that will take some beating. Westport, South Wellington, Hutt ancl Karori clubs have all named him champion at different periods.
When in England awaiting repatriation after World War 1, he took part in a lightning tournament with 100 players, being knocked out in the semi-finals by J. H. Blake, the ultimate winner. In friendly games he drew with Sir George Thomas and had some wins agarnst J. H. Blake and Amos Burn. He was advised that he would be invited to play in the English Championship, but unfoltunately was repatriated before the event. 1938 saw him contest the Australian Championship in which he flnished eighth. He was rnost unlucky in this and is probably the oniy player to have lost on time by, allowing his clock to run out when it was his opponent's turn to move! An indefatigable rvorket' in the cause of chess, he has taught many to play and hras formed clubs in Westport, Hutt and Karori. On the death of Mr. F. K. Kelling, Mr. Gyles was appointed president of the Wetlington CIub, and was elected a life member at the last annual meeiing. He is at present acting as secretary to the N.Z. Chess Association.
In the course of an outstanding career, A. W. Gyles has made a host of friends in the chess world and a narne that demands respect whereever chess is played in New Zealand.
NZ Chess Championships Results
* - Following the change in the eligibility rules in 1934 Purdy was playing hors concours in this Championship
and Gyles was, therefore the champion for 1936. (Gyles also defeated Purdy.)
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References:
[1] Family Search - Alfred William Gyles
[2] The N.Z. Chessplayer, Vol. 1, No. 3, AUTUMN, 1948
[3] Gyles History - https://www.houseofnames.com/au/gyles-family-crest