Welcome
Our Junior Chess Club is designed for children who want to learn chess, improve their skills, and enjoy the game in a friendly and supportive environment. We cater for beginners through to more experienced junior players, with coaching tailored to different ability levels.
Chess helps develop concentration, problem-solving, patience, and sportsmanship, all while being fun and social.
When & Where
- Day: Tuesday
- Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
- Start date: Start of school term
- Runs during school terms only
- Venue: Salvation Army (Lower Hall), Bluegum Rd, Paraparaumu
Sessions typically run for around 10 weeks per term, with breaks during school holidays.
What We Do
Each session usually includes:
- Structured coaching and instruction
- Tactics and basic strategy
- Supervised practice games
- Mini-tournaments and fun challenges
- Guidance on good chess behaviour and etiquette
Who Can Join?
- Children aged 6 years and older
- Beginners are very welcome – no prior experience required
- More experienced juniors will be challenged and supported to improve further
Players are grouped where possible so they are learning alongside others of a similar level.
Fees
- Junior Club fee: $30 per term
- Annual Junior Club membership: $90
(Discounts may apply for siblings – please enquire.)
Pathways & Opportunities
- Junior members are encouraged to:
- Progress to the main club when ready
- Play in junior tournaments and school events
- Take part in regional and national junior competitions
Enrolment & Contact
To register or ask questions, please contact:
Name: Gordon Lyall
Email: gordon@crazyhorsechess.co.nz
Phone: 029 905 8045
Places can be limited, so early registration is recommended.
Junior Chess News
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Kapiti College Player wins Mana Rapid
Nathan Grace from Kapiti College had an excellent performance at the Mana Junior Rapid, held at Mana College on 9th May. He went unbeaten and won the Open Division with 5.5/6, ahead of . Finn O’Brien 5/6, and Lucas Qu was on 4.5/6. Kapiti players Fred and Alex medaled in the Senior Division. Fina standings:
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James places at the Wellington Open
With a $10,000 total prize fund, this year’s Wellington Open attracted a very strong field. Despite facing higher-rated opposition in five of his six games, James performed admirably to finish equal third in the Under 1450 category. His excellent victory in round 5 against a 1600+ rated opponent set up a tense final-round clash against
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End of Term Team Event
It was a raucous final night of Term 1 at the junior club, finishing with a fun and competitive team event. Six teams of five players battled it out over three rounds in a fast-paced competition. When the dust settled, Team Alekhine, captained by Isaiah, claimed first place with a perfect score of three wins.
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T1 Presentation
Presentation of medals for the first internal junior tournament of the year, the T1 Rapid, took place at the Club on Tuesday, 24th March 2026. Champions Division:1st Gold medal – Isaiah Heta2nd Silver Medal – Stanley Fitton3rd Bronze Medal – Millar Wakefield Challengers Division:1st Gold medal – Ronan McGrath2nd Silver Medal – Ryder Henderson3rd Bronze
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T1 Rapid Results
In the Champions Division, Isaiah won his final four games to secure first place with 7/9. Stanley edged out Millar on tie-break to claim second, with both finishing on 6/9. In the Challengers Division, Ronan remained unbeaten across nine rounds to take first place with 7.5/9, ahead of Ryder in second on 6 points. It
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Junior Rapid Underway
The first Junior Club competition of the year, the T1 Rapid, is now underway. The event is an 8-round Swiss tournament with a 10-minute time control. This year’s competition features two divisions: Round 1 went largely to form, with no major upsets. The game of the evening featured a fine counter-attacking performance from Alex C,