Club Champs kick off

The 2019 Kapiti Chess Club Championship kicked off this week. This year the competition is being played as two tournaments, a combined one for A and B grades, and one for the C grade. Winners will receive the Tom Powell Trophy, the Ab Borren Trophy and the Gufeld Trophy  for A, B and C grades respectively.

Round one saw all games go to the higher rated player, although many were made to work for their wins. After Round 1, Gordon Lyall, Ross Jackson and David Paul head the A/B grade, while Rick Lowe, Mark Summers and Hamish Lester head the C grade. Full results can be found here.

Will last year’s Club Champion, Gordon Lyall being able to retain his title? or will traditional club trophy hogger David Paul get it back?  With a strong junior contingent this year, the C grade also promises to be an exciting closely-fought event. Stay tuned.

Above: Savannah Edwards and Liam Parkes battle out a draw in Round one of the Club Champs, played 17 September 2019.