2024 Kāpiti Junior Open and Schools Championship
The growing popularity of chess with kids in the region was really evident again last weekend. The fifth running of the Kāpiti Junior Open and Schools Championship saw another record turnout, with 86 kids and heaps of parents and caregivers from all around the Kāpiti, Horowhenua and Wellington region filling the playing venue at Paraparaumu College. It was fantastic atmosphere as kids competed individually and as part of their school over four divisions, and for the best Kāpiti-Horowhenua school.
Top seed and winner of the Kāpiti Open back in May, Cohen Young, headed into the sixth and final round unbeaten on 4½. Needing a draw to make it a Kāpiti double, he was denied by Abhinand Rajendran who played well. Down in material but with two connected passers in a better, but murky endgame, he was able to flag Cohen in the time scramble. This allowed Matthew Keith, who with a win over Luke Chang in the final round, was able to edge ahead and claim first place and the open championship on 5 points, with Cohen second, and Abhinand, Zachery and Thomas tied for third. Congratulations.
In the school age grade events, it was a three-way tie on points in the secondary age group section. But with tie-backs in place, Nathan Grace took out the gold medal ahead of Hoorad Farrokh for silver, and Cody Chen for bronze. In the intermediate section, gold went to Jin Tan edging out Justin Daoheng Wang on tie-break, with the bronze going to Carrig Murray. In the primary section, congratulations to Julian Estrada, the only player of the day to win all six games, with silver to Sreenand Rajendran on tie-break, and Jingwei Xu who gets the bronze.
It was great to see a record number of 30 schools represented, including a home school team. The School Trophy, awarded to the top performing Kāpiti or Horowhenua school, was won by hosts Paraparaumu College on 10 points, with runners-up Levin Intermediate, and Paraparaumu Beach School. Congrats also to the top scoring school on the day, which was Hutt International Boys’ School.
Thanks to all the players and parents for a fantastic day of Chess, and to organiser Gordon Lyall, his wife Andrea and with others who helped out, to make the day run smoothly.
Final standings:
Junior Open: | 1st: Matthew Keith (5), 2nd: Cohen Young (4½), 3rd= Abhinand Rajendran, Zachary Thirkell, Thomas Van der Hoorn (4) |
Secondary Age Division: | Gold: Nathan Grace (4½), Silver: Hoorad Farrokh (4½), Bronze: Cody Chen (4½) |
Intermediate Age Division: | Gold: Jin Tan (5), Silver: Justin Daoheng Wang (5), Bronze: Carrig Murray (4½) |
Primary Age Division: | Gold: Julian Estrada (6), Silver: Sreenand Rajendran (5), Bronze: Jingwei Xu (5) |
* Tie-breaks are used in the age group divisions.
Photos and videos from the day including all the prize-winners can be found here.