2010 Kapiti Rapid

The Kapiti Rapid was held on 5 September 2010. The tournament attracted 25 players, down from normal attendance numbers as the event was held on Father’s Day. Five players with a rating of 2000 plus were in attendance including eleventh-time New Zealand champion IM Anthony Ker and former New Zealand champ IM Russell Dive. Top New Zealand Junior Alan Ansell and local Kapiti player Johnny Hynes helped to make up the field of six in the Junior class.

Sunday was bleak and grey, which helped players focus on the high calibre of chess being played. Kapiti member Alistair McGowan had an outstanding day beating Chris Burns and drawing against Brian Nijman to win the B grade section. David Paul finished a respectable 2^nd, followed by Stuart Holdaway, Anil Jhurani, Andrew Brockway and Lawrence Farrington.

B Grade winners dominated by the Kapiti Chess Club’s Alistair McGowan (front right, winner)
and fellow club mate David Paul (front left, 2nd). 3rd place-getters (from left): Stewart Holdaway, Anil Jhurani,
Andrew Brockway and Lawrence Farrington.

A grade winners. 1st equal:  IM Russell Dive and IM Anthony Ker (reigning NZ chess champion). 3rd place: Brian Nijman (middle).

Up and coming Junior Alan Ansell from New Plymouth took the Top Junior prize.

David Paul scored a key win against leader Zoe Kingston, to bring him back into contention to defend his title. After tonight’s play, David, Tim and Zoe share the lead, closely followed by Dennis, Mike, Christy and John. This event has been conspicuous by the absence of Guy and Itay. Italy is back tonight and Guy will re-join the Tournament next week.

Don’t forget the Kapiti Rapid Tournament on Sunday (5 September). Kapiti players who turn up at 8:00 and help with the running of the event will gain subsidised entry. We have had some good publicity with articles in Thursday’s Observer and the Kapiti Independent News.

First round of the club championships have begun. Glyns Mills played well to hold incumbent A grade champion—David Paul—to a draw. This is a two series championships comprising of 8 rounds per series (total of 16 rounds). The Championship is run on swiss format. A, B and C grade prizes will be based ratings—cut-off determined by Club Captain and approved by the Committee. There are plenty of more games to go for what is promising to be a hard fought contest in all grades.

The game of the night was between Zoe Kingston and David Paul—if David won, the John Kingston Memorial 60-60 Trophy is finally his—alone. But, the best laid plans of mice and men…..Zoe played superbly to take the game and place her name on her late father’s prize, along with David Paul and top junior Itay Ben-Dom. Alistair McGowan is a respectable runner-up. Junior runner-up is Christie Paul whose form has been strong all year. A special mention goes to Glyns Mills who has been playing extremely well over the tournament, and came very near to achieving several upset wins against higher rated players.

Next week (4 August) is round three of our 5 round Blitz (5 minute time frame) Tournament.

Kapiti Coast District Council (our landlord) has informed the Club, that, because of local-body elections—over the period 10 September to 15 October—the Club will using the Community Centre (100 meters to the West of Library) for Wednesday night games.

The game of the night was between Zoe Kingston and David Paul—if David won, the John Kingston Memorial 60-60 Trophy is finally his—alone. But, the best laid plans of mice and men…..Zoe played superbly to take the game and place her name on her late father’s prize, along with David Paul and top junior Itay Ben-Dom. Alistair McGowan is a respectable runner-up. Junior runner-up is Christie Paul whose form has been strong all year. A special mention goes to Glyns Mills who has been playing extremely well over the tournament, and came very near to achieving several upset wins against higher rated players.

Next week (4 August) is round three of our 5 round Blitz (5 minute time frame) Tournament.

Kapiti Coast District Council (our landlord) has informed the Club, that, because of local-body elections—over the period 10 September to 15 October—the Club will using the Community Centre (100 meters to the West of Library) for Wednesday night games.

A sound win against Itay Ben-Dom places Zoe Kingston into contention for sharing the John Kingston Memorial 60-60 Trophy. All eyes will be on her game next week—most probably against David Paul who is leading this event by one point.

A sound win against Itay Ben-Dom places Zoe Kingston into contention for sharing the John Kingston Memorial 60-60 Trophy. All eyes will be on her game next week—most probably against David Paul who is leading this event by one point.

Guy Burns is regretting turning down a draw offer from Itay Ben-Dom, who capitalised on a mistake to win the game.

Full results below.

Club Champs start 11 August, one week after Round Three of our 5 round Blitz Tournament. The Championships are based on a two series Swiss format of 8 rounds per series (Total of 16 games). Time frame for games is one and a half hours with a 30 second add-on per move. Club officials decided today that a half point bye can be taken for one night missed for the first 6 games in each of the series (Maximum for championships that can be claimed is 2 nights or one point).

Guy Burns is regretting turning down a draw offer from Itay Ben-Dom, who capitalised on a mistake to win the game.

Full results below.

Club Champs start 11 August, one week after Round Three of our 5 round Blitz Tournament. The Championships are based on a two series Swiss format of 8 rounds per series (Total of 16 games). Time frame for games is one and a half hours with a 30 second add-on per move. Club officials decided today that a half point bye can be taken for one night missed for the first 6 games in each of the series (Maximum for championships that can be claimed is 2 nights or one point).

The second series of the John Kingston Memorial Trophy is underway. Guy Burns leads the field closely followed by David Paul and Alistair McGowan. Five players are within one and half points from the leader.