Following on from the successful Kāpiti Rapid last month, the club is hosting an open tournament for school kids and juniors, the Kāpiti Junior Chess Championships, on December 12. This is the ideal chess event for all junior playing levels, accommodating elite juniors in the Open section and three school grades. This should be a fun day. Details about the event and how to enter are here.

Meanwhile, things are really heating up with Round 6 of the Club Championships played this week.  Top seeds Gordon Lyall and Ross Jackson lead on 5 and 4½ respectively, with would-be contender Geoffrey Gunawan third on 4. Geoffrey wasn’t able to hammer home his great form to date, losing to John Eccles this week (see game here), while Ross and Gordon got the full point from their games (Gordon’s game here). However with one more round to go, all three have a chance of securing the title next week. Stay tuned! Full results so far can be found here.

The distinctive white knight of the Ab Borren Trophy for B grade champion, with the cup for most improved player behind. Geoffrey Gunawan won both last year, but has his eyes on the bigger prize this year. Can he do it?

Club Champs Round 6 game between John Eccles and Gordon Lyall played 24 November 2020. Annotation from Black.

The 26th playing of the Kāpiti Rapid drew one of the largest number of entrants in the tournament’s history and attracted players from as far afield as Auckland.

The top grade boasted a strong line up with an average rating of almost 2100, and 5 titled players, including current New Zealand Champion and top seed, FM Ben Hague. Things did not go smoothly for the pre-tournament favourite, when he suffered a loss playing Black against Athula Russell in round 3 (see game here). FM Nic Croad took control of the tournament with a win in round 5 against defending champion, FM Scott Wastney (see game here). He secured the tournament win with a final round win against CM Jack James (game here), to achieve 5½ from a possible 6 points. Athula Russell, who remained unbeaten, and Ben Hague tied second on 5 points.

2020 Kāpiti Rapid winner Nic Croad with Club President Gordon Lyall

The B grade was a tight affair and resulted in a 4-way share of first place between Kayden Loke, Nathan Hall, Lars Dobbertin-King and Paul He, each scoring a very impressive 4 points.

The C grade was shared by Jamie Webster and ungraded 15-year-old Henry Zaslov who recently arrived in Wellington from the USA.

The Junior gold medal winner was Michael Sole, who scored a solid 4 points and played on board 2 against Ben Hague in the last round. Winner of the silver medal, on tie-break, was Afique Nazeer.

The Junior (U15) gold medal went to Kayden Loke on tie-break from Paul He, who took silver.

David Paul and Ross Jackson were the highest scoring locals on 3½, and share the Flora Paul Memorial Trophy for the best performing Kāpiti Club members.

Full results can be found here.
Photos from the event can be viewed here.
Past Kāpiti Rapids can be viewed here.

The final round game on Board 1 in the 2020 Kāpiti Rapid tournament. FM Nic Croad (2323) is White against CM Jack James (2210). Nic’s win in this game gives him 5½ from 6 and the 2020 Kāpiti Rapid title.

The top board clash from Round 5 in the 2020 Kāpiti Rapid tournament between last year’s winner FM Scott Wastney (2350), playing White against this year’s eventual winner, FM Nic Croad (2323). 

A key game from Round 3 of the 2020 Kāpiti Rapid tournament. On Board 1, Athula Russell (2096) is White against top seep and current New Zealand Champion Ben Hague, 2430. Annotations from White.

The annual Kāpiti Rapid Chess tournament is on this Saturday, and with the interest shown so far, it promises to be another great day of chess on the Kāpiti Coast. All are welcome. See here for details how to join in. You can also follow it on Vega here.

Round 4 of the Club Champs this week. Geoffrey Gunawan followed up his earlier draw against Club Champ Gordon Lyall, with a 22-move win over top-rated Club player Ross Jackson – some 490 rating points higher! See their game here. Geoffrey now leads outright on 3½ from 4, with Gordon next on 3 (see his game here), followed by a chasing pack on 2½. Full current standings and results can be found here. With three more rounds left in the competition, the Tom Powell Trophy is still up for grabs. Will Geoffrey continue his good form, or will the bigger guns, or even one of the lesser guns, prevail! Stay tuned.

This game was played in Round 4 of the 2020 Club Champs between Gordon Lyall (rated 1944) and long-time Club member John Whibley (rated 1673). Annotations from Gordon.

Round 4 of the 2020 Club Champs played 17/11/2020. Geoffrey Gunawan followed up his draw last week against Club Champ Gordon, with this 22-move win over top-rated Club player Ross Jackson – some 490 rating points higher on current ratings.

Round 2 of the 2020 Club Champs.  Geoffrey employs 1…c6 to White’s Réti (1. Nf6), and follows it with accurate play to hold Gordon to a draw. The game was pretty much even from start to finish. But a commendable effort given Geoffrey, still technically a junior, was rated some 350 points below 2019 Club Champion Gordon.