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.