Final round of the 2021 Leo Eichholtz 25+5 competition played 1 June 2021. A victory for either Ross or Geoffrey will secure the second place spot for them. Annotations by White. Geoffrey, playing the Vienna of late, tries out Stanley or Three Knights Variation.

The 27th annual Kāpiti Rapid was held in Paraparaumu on Saturday 29th May. The tournament fielded the second largest number of players in its 30-year history, with 45 players, including several titled players and former New Zealand champions. The tournament was played over 6 rounds under a 25 m + 5s time format.

Congratulations to Russell Dive who took out the open grade with an unbeaten 5½ from 6, with Brian Nijman and Anthony Ker sharing 2nd= on 5, and  Ben Hague, Scott Wastney and Ryan Winter tied for 4th=  on 4½. Interestingly, Russell was the co-winner of the very first Kāpiti Rapid held 30 years ago in 1991, and this is the 11th time he has won it.

Some critical results included Andrew Brockway’s victory over Anthony Ker in Round 2,  and Scott Wastney’s win over Ben Hague in Round 4. Second place getter, Brian Nijman played well with his sole loss also coming in Round 4 to eventual winner Russell. Brian’s fifth round win against fast improving junior Kayden Loke also drew applause from the crowd of spectators as he skillfully managed to execute a bishop and knight versus king mate in significant time trouble.

While Russell entered his Round 6 game against top seed Ben Hague a clear point ahead, four chasers including Ben, could catch him if they won. Both Russell and Ben had victory to play for, so it was unlikely to be a quick draw. The game battled down to the final minutes into a tense endgame, with both eventually able to promote pawns into a drawn K&Q v K&Q position. The draw was enough to give Russell the tournament victory.

Andrew Brockway also had a good day, with a victory over Anthony Ker, and only a single loss to Ryan Winter to finish on 4 from 6. Along with fellow Wellington Club mates Joshua Langford, Thomas Van der Hoorn, and Brent Perrin, he took a four-way share of the B grade prize, for those rated 1400 to 1800.

Taking out the C grade (under 1400) was unrated player Mathieson Carlyle with an impressive 4 from 6, ahead of Aidan Malcolm and Eric Zaslow on 3½.

Showing some amazing depth and future promise, the field comprised 16 juniors, ranging in ages from 8 to 19, and from unrated to ratings over 1900. In the 14 and over age group, Ryan Winter took out the Gold medal, ahead of Thomas van der Hoorn, while in the under 14 group, Kayden Loke again shone through to take the Gold medal ahead of Zac Li.

The top scoring Kāpiti Club players on 3½ were Guy Burns and David Paul along with dual Wellington and Kāpiti Club member Ross Jackson.

Final results can be found here:
Full crosstable
Standings by grade
Junior standings by age group

Photos from the day can be found here.

The day was well-organised and run by Club President Gordon Lyall, with the great help of his wife Andrea, and support from Club members. Thanks also to the Wellington Chess Club who provided extra equipment.

Thanks to all who attended.

There was plenty of action on club night this week, as Rounds 5 and 6 were played in the Leo Eichholtz 25+5 tournament.  Stewart Holdaway looks to have his eyes firmly on first place with a win over past champion David Paul, and a draw against Ross Jackson. He currently leads on on 5 from 6. Guy Burns and Ross Jackson also had a win and a draw from the night and sit in second place on 4. The level of closeness in the competition has been such that predicting winners is difficult, and so next week promises to be another interesting night. Current standings and results here.

This Saturday, 29th May, is the annual Kāpiti Rapid. With the entries so far, it promises to be a great day. Entry is open to anyone – details here.   

Stewart Holdaway was the deserved winner of the first leg of the Club’s Leo Eichholtz tournament, which is played under a 25m+5s time format. On his way to a 6½ from 8 finish, here is one of his points from Round 3, with annotations by David Scott and his Stockfish engine.

On 16 May, 2021 the Manawatu Knights Chess club hosted the second I.M. Sims Memorial in Palmerston North. Four players from Kāpiti participated. In the game below, Stewart Holdaway annotates his Round 5 clash against James Burt.

After four rounds of the Leo Eichholtz Rapid, Stewart Holdaway leads on 3½, including a win over Club Champ, Gordon Lyall in Round 4. John Eccles follows on 3, then a chasing pack of Gordon, David Paul, Guy and Ross on 2½. Full results and standings at this half-way stage can be found here. 

Junior Club continues to prove popular with around 15 kids along this week.

Last Sunday four Club members – Geoffrey Gunawan, David Scott, Ross Jackson and Stewart Holdaway – competed in the Martin Sims Memorial Rapid tournament in Palmerston North. This was an enjoyable day, well run by the Manawatu-Knights Chess Club under Mark Noble. A reasonably well rated field, meant most of the Kāpiti contingent were ranked in the bottom half of the field, and while none of us were in the prizes, all performed close to expected, scoring between 2½ to 4 from the six rounds. Full results on the NZCF website here. Some photos from the day can be found here,  and one of Stewart’s games from the day here.

Don’t forget: Saturday 29th, the 27th Kāpiti Rapid promises to be another great day of Chess. Open to all levels and ages, with prizes over several grades, including junior prizes. Get in quick for this popular annual event. Click here on how to enter.

The first two rounds of the Club’s 25+5 rapid tournament for the Leo Eichholtz Board were played this week. A competitive and enjoyable spirit resulted in some great games, and a mix of interesting results. John Eccles prevailed over 9-time past winner of this tournament, David Paul, to lead with maximum points from the night, with a chasing pack of four close behind on 1½. David Scott was left to rue his chances after snatching a draw and a loss from winning positions. Current results here.  

Below: Junior Club seems to to be proving a popular addition to the Kāpiti Coast, with around a dozen kids along each week. The youngest just 4 years old!

The second term of our new Junior Club kicked off enthusiastically this week with 12 juniors along for lessons and games. Meanwhile for the seniors following, it was the final round of the Kingston Memorial. Final placings are: Gordon Lyall 7/8, Stewart Holdaway and John Eccles on 5½, and Guy Burns and Ross Jackson next on 5. Final results here.

Next week is Round 1 and 2 of the Leo Eichholtz Rapid tournament, played under a 25 m + 5 s time control.

Gordon Lyall takes out the Kingston Memorial trophy with a round to spare and gets to hang on to the distinctive clock trophy for another year.
Match of the night was Guy Burns and John Eccles. After a close match, with both in time trouble in a knight v bishop end game and pawns of both sides of the board, it was Guy whose flag fell first. They both now share second place with Stewart, who lost to Ross, who moves to third place half a point behind. With no fewer than five players in contention for second place, next week’s final round match-ups promise for a good night of chess.
All results and standings here.

Junior Club resumes next week after the school holidays, starting at 6:30.

It is getting down to the business end of the Club’s annual 55m +5s Kingston Memorial tournament – competition is heating up, and several players are still in contention with 2 rounds left to play.

Game of the night in-form Guy playing his usual Queen’s Gambit beat current frontrunner Stewart with an open and attacking game (here). Top seeds Gordon and Ross agreed a draw, while John Eccles prevailed in the battle of the John’s. After six rounds, Gordon leads on 5, with Guy and Stewart sharing second place, half a point behind.

Latest results and standings can be found here.

A key game from Round 6 in the KCC Kingston Memorial tournament. Front runner Stewart Holdaway is Black against an in-form Guy Burns sitting 1 point behind. Played under a 55m + 5s time format.

Round 5 this week in the 2021 Kingston Memorial. Both Stewart and Gordon had wins over Andy and Brandon respectively to extend their joint lead to 4½ from 5, David prevailed over Mike (game here), and Geoffrey over John Whibley (game here), while John Eccles and Ross agreed a draw, Ross having battled under his usual time handicap due to travel. With 3 rounds to go, current results and standings can be found here.

This week’s photo: 30 years ago this month in April 1991, the Club ran its first open Kāpiti Rapid tournament. You may recognise a couple of the faces in there, who, between them have won at least half of the 26 times the tournament has been held since then (see a history of  this annual tournament here). This year’s Kāpiti Rapid is coming up fast on the 29th May, and will be held again at the Club rooms in Paraparaumu. Last year, we had one of our highest turnouts, and this year promises to be even better. Check out the details and how to enter here. Hope to see you there!

Another game from the fifth round of the 2021 Rose and John Kingston Memorial tournament. David Scott, White against Mike O’Rorke.

Round 5 of the Kingston Memorial played under a 55m+ 5s time format.

It was fantastic to have a visit to the Club this week from GM Gawain Jones and his family. With a current FIDE rating of 2670, Gawain is amongst the top 70 current players in the World. He comes fresh from another picket fence performance on his current trip to New Zealand, taking out the North Island Championship last weekend in Wellington. Here he is seen with his wife, WIM Sue Maroroa, and Wellington Club President and Kāpiti member Ross Jackson – teaching baby Jones some essential early life skills.

In addition to Gawain, four Kāpiti Club members and some 87 other Chess players all congregated at the Naumi Hotel in Cuba Street, Wellington over Easter weekend for the North Island Championship. This was a huge turnout played over a single grade, with some 13 FIDE titled players, 5 current and past NZ champions, and a median tournament rating over 1800. It was great weekend, with the famous Cuba Street buzz  adding to the occasion. While not amongst any prizes, Kāpiti players (Stewart Holdaway, David Scott, Ross Jackson and Geoffrey Gunawan), still held their own against the competition. For a full report on the event, including links to games, see here and here. 

Photo: Geoffrey appears to provides his opponent with some amusement with his Round 5 opening choice. 1. e4 e5 2. Ke2.

Meanwhile, we took a break from serious chess this week, to try our first ever night of Fischer Random chess. Every board for each round started with the same randomised starting position, and it was fascinating to see how differently opening strategy and games diverged on each board. It was an interesting and fun night for most, as the strange starting positions threw memory of openings away and challenged players to rely more on first principles. For some, it did not always pay off, as the victim of this incredible four-way fork found out.

More photos can be found here.

This week saw Round 4 played in the Kingston Memorial. At the half-way stage, Gordon Lyall and Stewart Holdaway are neck and neck on 3.5, with Guy Burns following close behind 3, after snaffling a win against Mike O’Rorke. While Gordon had a good win over David Scott, John Eccles might consider himself a little unlucky to let a possible win slip away from him near the death against Stewart.  Latest results and standings here.

Meanwhile, the new Junior Club night continues to be going well with around a dozen keen juniors and parents along each week for lessons and games.

Next week, Fischer Random comes to town! The club takes a break from standard to play its first ever Fischer Random night. It should be fun. Here’s a good link to find out more about this fun variant.

Round 2 of the Kingston Memorial tournament this week. The Kingston family were involved for a long time with the Club. Rose Kingston served as Club Secretary continuously for 22 years from 1997 up to her death in 2018. After two rounds, Guy Burns leads outright on 2 points. Gordon Lyall and Stewart Holdaway battled a hard fought draw, and sit in second place, along with David Scott on 1.5. Current standings can be found here.

Meanwhile, the new Junior Club seems to be going well. There was a noticeable increase in the number of kids and parents along for this the second week of the Club, and quite a buzz of training and games.  The earlier time, and kid zone friendly environment seem to have hit a mark, suggesting a good level of interest in the community, and promising well for the the future.

The first ever meeting of the Kāpiti Junior Chess Club was held this week. Around a dozen kids and parents, from age 6 and up, came along, with games, and interactive lessons with the Club’s current best player and President, Gordon Lyall. From the response to this first night, there seems to be good interest in the community, and hopefully this promises well for the Club’s objective of growing junior chess in Kāpiti. The Junior Club runs Tuesdays during school terms, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, and is open to all primary and secondary school students. There’s a focus on fun games and events, coupled with structured opportunities to learn and improve from experts, and pathways to compete at higher levels for those that want to.  

What’s more, the first term for 2021 is free! Check out this poster for more details, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

For the main Club night, this week saw Round 1 of the annual Kingston Memorial tournament, played under a 55m+5s time format.  Most games went the way of the higher-rated player, except Guy Burns had a nice win over Ross Jackson, while David Scott and Brandon Holman played out a tight and even draw. See results here, and the Lyall v Eccles game here.

Check out more Club photos here, including some photos from the Junior Club night.

The first week of the 2021 Rose and John Kingston Memorial tournament, played under a 55m + 5s time format. Current Club Champion Gordon Lyall (rated 1928) plays John Eccles (rated 1710, and voted last year’s Most Promising Player).

The Club held its Annual General Meeting this week. Gordon Lyall was re-elected as Club President, David Scott as Club Captain and Secretary, and Brandon Holman as Treasurer. Annual fees for 2021 were set (see here), including a reduction for adult members. The Club’s rules written back in 1990 were also given a nice 2020’s refresh. All reports from the AGM can be found here.

We are also excited and pleased to announce a new Junior Chess Club for Kāpiti. This initiative is aimed to encourage and grow junior chess in the Kāpiti region. The Junior Club will start earlier than the main Club and run during school terms, and is open to all primary and secondary school students. There’s a focus on fun games and events, coupled with structured opportunities to learn and improve from experts, and pathways to compete at higher levels for those that want to.  The new Club will start next week. Check out the poster for more details, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Finally, we will be back to over the board Chess next week (assuming we remain at Covid Alert Level 1 in this part of the country). We start Round 1 of our Kingston Memorial (played at 55m+5s). Members and visitors welcome.