Author: Gordon Lyall

2 games of the Leo Eichholz Trophy were played and Alan Winfield continues his meteoric rise with a fine win over David Paul—will it be enough to dethrone the current champion? — time will tell — we have 2 more nights play to go. Sean Doyle is showing improving form with 2 fine wins. Up for discussion is the idea of changing our Club night to Tuesday for 2016—any thoughts?

The third and final series of the Leo Eichholz Trophy has begun. Top Junior Johnny Hynes had a good win against Senior player Guy Burns. David Paul continues to comfortably lead the field by two points. Three more nights of play to go. 

Series 4, of the Freebird Trophy was played—4 games at 10 minutes plus 5 second add-on per game—and long-time-no-see dark horse Todd Stewart took the honours with 3.5 points, closely followed by Guy Burns and John Whibley on 3. John Whibley shares the lead for the Trophy with David Paul—8.5—closely followed by a menacing marauding pack—a lot can happen with one more night’s play to go. Next week we start the final series our Leo Eichholz Trophy—4 nights at 2 games per night, with a timeframe of 25 minutes, plus a 5 second add-on.

The John Kingston Memorial Trophy is over and we now have a new champion. Congratulations to Alan Winfield, who has broken David Paul’s 4 year grip on the trophy. Next Wednesday we play the 3rd series of our Freebird Trophy—four rounds at 10 minutes with a 5 second add-on.

Lars Dobbertin-King—now known as giant killer—had an upset win against current champion David Paul in the penultimate round of our John Kingston Memorial Trophy. His win places David half a point behind Alan Winfield, and as David is away next week, Alan is almost assured of toppling David from his 4 year winning streak—unless of course Alan loses his game next week—we will wait and see.

5 Rounds have now been played in the John Kingston Memorial Trophy and 3 players push ahead of the field, led by David Paul, then Alan Winfield and Andy Hicks. With 2 rounds to go it will be a close finish.

The John Kingston Memorial Trophy is now well underway. The 4th night of play saw a battle of the giants—David Paul and Alan Winfield—slugging it out in an epic game that went down to a few minutes on each clock. Neither was able to out-master the other, with the game ending in a draw. David Paul nudges the lead, half a point ahead of Alan Winfield and Andy Hicks. We’re back in the Library for next week’s play.

Two Rounds have now been played in the John Kingston Memorial Trophy—55 Minutes plus 5 second add-on. David Paul, Paul Frost and Alistair McGowan lead the field, closely followed by Alan Winfield and Mike O’Rorke. With 5 rounds to go it’s early days yet, with more water to flow under the bridge of fine chess.

The John Kingston Memorial Trophy has began. It’s early days yet, with plenty of water to flow under the bridge. This Trophy continues for the next 6 weeks.

Rapid chess was order of the day, or I should say night. It was fast, furious and fun—3 minutes on the clock and a 2 second add-on. After 7 rounds Guy Burns came on top with 6 points, closely followed by Lars Dobbertin-King on 5.5. Next Wednesday we start the John Kingston Memorial Trophy—7 rounds of chess, with one game played per night with the timeframe of 55 minutes on the clock and 5 seconds per move.

A smaller field turned up for the last 2 games of Series 2 of the Leo Eichholtz Trophy. Guy Burns threw away an offered draw—from David Paul—in his determination to win and lost on time. This win helped to propel David Paul well into the lead. Next week, we are back in the Library to play our first Blitz games of the year. The timeframe is 3 minutes plus a 2 second per move add on. The number of games will be determined by the number of players present—we will keep playing games until everyone has played each other.

Due to a KCDC room booking misunderstanding, the Leo Eichholtz Trophy was played in the Women’s Centre (just down from Paraparaumu Library). Please note we will also play there again next Wednesday—25 March. After rounds 3 & 4 of Series Two, David Paul nudges, only nudges into the lead, half a point ahead of Guy Burns, Alistair McGowan and Paul Frost—next week’s play will set out the men from the boys.

After 2 more games of Series 2 of the Leo Eichholtz Trophy, Paul Frost has  nudged into the lead, closely followed by a large pack of Guy Burns, John Whibley, Alistair McGowan and David Paul. With such a large group chasing this Trophy there’s going to be some exciting chess over the next 2 weeks.

Nine boards were in play for our Freebird Trophy—such numbers have not been seen for a while. Top Kapiti Junior Johnny Hynes played well with wins against Senior players Guy Burns and Ian Liddell. After this second round, current champion David Paul has caught John Whibley to share the lead, but several strong players are not far behind, including dark horses Alan Winfield and Andy Hick—full results here. Ratings have been adjusted, these can be checked Here. Club Subs can be paid into our bank account, use your name for a reference. Next Club night sees play return to the Leo Eichholtz Trophy—series 2.

The final 2 games of series one of the Leo Eichholtz Trophy were played and David Paul and Paul Frost are neck and neck—closely followed by a marauding pack. We welcome ex-Wellington Club player Alan Winfield to the Club.
Next week we continue series two of the Freebird Trophy. Please note, ratings will be adjusted at the end of all Tournaments (or series of Tournaments).

A great turnout with 16 players contesting the Leo Eichholtz  Trophy. We welcome two new players to the Club—Paul Benefield and Andy Hicks. Rose Kingston had 2 great wins to put her within half a point of the lead. Paul Frost had a notable win against current champion David Paul, which nudges him into the lead with 3.5 points.

Chess is now fully underway at the Chess Club with two rounds being played in the Eichholtz Board Trophy (25 minutes plus 5 second add-on). It’s same again for the our next night.

The 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kapiti Chess Club was held to elect Officers, set Fees and discuss business. Fees have been raised—the first time in several years—due to a steady increase in rent. After the AGM, 4 rounds of the Freebird Trophy were held and John Whibley came out on top with 3 and half points, closely followed by Lars Dobbertin-King and David Paul.

2014 is now history and 2015 begins. David Paul took the Kapiti Chess Club Championship Trophy and now equals Earl Roberts record of having his name on the Trophy 8 times. Will he manage an historic 9th time? — time will tell as both experienced and up-and-coming players nip at his heals.

The Club Championships are now over and the dust has settled. David Paul finished the year Kapiti Chess Club Supreme Champion taking the honours for all Trophies–A Grade Championship, John Kingston Memorial Trophy, Leo Eichholtz Trophy, Freebird Trophy, Grand Prix Prize and Blitz Champs. Rick Lowe won the B Grade Trophy and top Junior Johnny Hynes the C Grade Trophy. For photos of the Prize-giving, click Here.