Author: Gordon Lyall

Our 60-60 Tournament for 2011 has begun and will be played over the next 2 months, ending mid-July. Don’t forget coaching next week, this is available for both Seniors, Juniors and the general public, starting at 7:00 at the Library.

Alistair McGowan continues his fine form during the 5 Minute Tournament (Night 3) held tonight. Incumbent 5 champion David Paul struggled, but still leads the field overall. Great to see former Kapiti Chess Champion, Levin based Earl Roberts, playing in the field. This Tournament is the only competition whereby non-members can play.

A solid blow by Gordon Anderson in Round 8 of the Free Bird Tournament (15-15 minute time frame) has, like a sharp hammer strike, knocked back Alistair’s McGowan’s slim lead—now shared with David Paul. Play for this Trophy continues in late November with two night’s play. Johnny Hynes leads the Juniors.

Next week is Round Three for our Blitz Trophy Tournament, also coaching will be available from Club Captain, David Paul at 7:00pm.

Please note, on May 25 the Chess Club will meet at the Senior Citizens’ Hall in Waikanae— at our usual time-—because Council will be using the library room.

Free Bird Tournament (15-15 minute time frame) leader—Alistair McGowan—continues his fine form after beating David Paul tonight. He is closely followed by David, Zoe Kingston and John Whibley. Johnny Hynes continues his steady run, leading the Juniors. This new Tournament, sponsored by Mike O’Rorke, continues next Wednesday (27 April)—another four games—and will be followed by two more nights play in late November, early December.

John Whibley played a great game and managed to draw against current Kapiti Chess Club champion David Paul. This draw allowed Alistair McGowan to slip into—sharing—the top slot in our 30-30 (25 minutes plus 5 second increment) Tournament after an easy win against wild-card Guy Burns. Itay Ben-Dom easily took out the Junior prize in the Tournament, followed by Johnny Hynes.

The result of the punishing game, last night, between Guy Burns and David Paul has given Alistair McGowan a chance to take out 2011’s, 30-30 Trophy. Like the tenacious blacksmith on the forge, Guy hammered home a comprehensive victory, allowing Alistair to be half a point behind David on the overall total. No one else appears close enough to take the trophy and it will all come down to how these two players fair this Wednesday night. Itay Ben-Dom—well and truly—leads the Juniors—even after missing tonight’s play.

2nd (and last) series of our 30-30 (25 minutes plus 5 second increment) Tournament is well under way. David Paul still manages to hold the lead after several tough games. Alistair McGowan failed to capitalise on a superior position and managed a notable draw and is tied level for this series. Itay Ben-Dom leads the juniors. Mike O’Rorke takes the coaching this Wednesday—6 April.

Tonight’s 5 Minute Tournament saw some great chess played by the Juniors. Johnny Hynes and Josh Bunker played outstanding chess to trounce Senior player Mike O’Rorke who had a troubled night. Johnny and Josh played each other later, and achieved a respectable draw. Guy Burns, another senior player was well beaten by Ian Liddell and junior Jacko O’Grady also put Guy under pressure.

David Paul was the shining star of the night achieving the perfect result of 6 wins out of 6 games—he now leads the field in our—5 rounds over the year—5 Minute Tournament.

Next week Series II of our two part 30-30 (25 minutes plus 5 second increment) Tournament begins.

Don’t forget coaching by Club Captain David Paul will start at 7:00pm 23 March.

Coaching starts 9 March 7:00pm at the Library.

Our 30-30 is progressing well. Guy Burns and David Paul led neck and neck and will square it off next match—will be an exciting game. Top junior player Itay Ben Dom is half a point behind the leaders, along with Alastair McGowan and Zoe Kingston.

The latest rating list from NZ Chess Federation has been released. Alastair McGowan tops the rapid rating list on 1832 and David Paul hits 1861 for the standard rating.

Our AGM was held and our governance and constitutional obligations were undertaken. Club officials were elected, reports made and several motions were passed. Pressure to increase fees was resisted and fees will remain the same as 2010. Our 30-30 tournament resumes next week and the following week—9 March—chess coaching will commence. Please note:  it was agreed at the AGM that all games for 2011 will commence at 7:45.

Chess started in 2011 with a 5 minute Blitz Tournament. David Paul dominated the field, but was strongly challenged by Alistair McGowan who managed a draw against him. Chess continues with the first round of the 30-30 (Timeframe: 25 minutes, plus 5 seconds add on) Tournament starting 9 February.

Coaching has also been confirmed and will occur at the Library at 7;00pm— on a fortnightly basis—starting 9 March.

Kapiti Chess 2010 Club Prize-Giving Ceremony was held on 15 December at 7:30. It was a great night and most people walked away with a certificate or prize. Photos of the night will be posted here soon.

Congratulations again to David Paul who—in a tight game—beat top Junior Itay Ben-Dom, to win 6 games from 6 and take out the 2010 Blitz Tournament.

Please come along with family and friends to the end of year Prize Giving Ceremony at the Paraparaumu Library 15 December at 7:30. Bring a plate of food and BYO drinks are permitted. Casual games of Chess will follow.

The 2010 Club Champs are now over and the Paul whanau has taken away the two top prizes. Christy Paul wins the B Grade Anneke Borren Trophy and his father—David Paul—is the winner of the A Grade Tom Powell Memorial Trophy. The C Grade Gufeld Trophy has been jointly won by Chris Carr, Johnny Hynes, Rose Kingston.

At our next Club night the winner of the 2010 Blitz Trophy will be revealed. Currently Itay Ben-Dom and David Paul are neck and neck and their game, on the night, will probably determine the winner.

The following week we have our Annual Prize-Giving function. All past and present members, and friends of the Kapiti Chess Club are invited to attend. Please bring a plate of food and BYO alcohol is permitted.

David Paul seems unstoppable as he steers a straight course through the field, having not lost any games in the current 2010 Club Champs series. Like father, like son—Christy Paul is in front—but only by one point for the Junior component of the Champs. B and C grade demarcation lines will be set this week, then we will see who is contention with 2 more games to go.

With leader of the pack away—David Paul—it’s a good chance for the rest of the field to make headway into his lead, and that’s just what John Whibley managed, with an excellent endgame win over President Guy Burns. There’s still 5 rounds left in this last series of the year and John is well positioned to make a final run in the home straight to take the lead and the A grade trophy—something he hasn’t held since 2000.

It’s good to be back meeting at the Library. Here are the latest scores in the Grand Prix category. There is a trophy for this category based on points allocated for registered players over all 2010 official Kapiti Chess Club games, except the 5 minute series. If you want to know more how the points are allocated please contact the Club.

            2010 GRAND PRIX RESULTS TO 29/09/2010           TOTAL

As you can see it’s neck and neck between David Paul and Zoe Kingston. The result will be determined over the two months or so.

After an absence of several weeks, top Junior Itay Ben-Dom returned to win (5.5 from six rounds) the penultimate round in our Blitz Trophy 5 round series (last round 08 December). He was closely followed by David Paul (5), Zoe Kingston and Guy Burns (4). Juniors Johnny Hynes (3) and Christy Paul (2.5) are not too far behind the field.

The first round of Series B (8 rounds) in the two-part Club Champs, resumes 13 October at the Community Centre.

In the final round of this series of the Club Champs, Guy Burns pulled one out of the bag to ping Zoe Kingston back from the lead, and break her magnificent run. A cunning Bishop sacrifice made up for an early blunder of a pawn, to seal and strong Rook driven attack into a badly defended King. This win allows an unbeaten David Paul to nudge ahead by half a point from Zoe.

Next meet we play the fourth round of our Five Round Blitz series. Don’t forget we meet again in the Community Centre, just down from the Library.

Round Five of Kapiti Chess Club’s Championships series saw the longest game played yet—Mike O’Rorke battled it out against David Paul for 4 hours—finishing at the stroke of midnight. Mike failed to capitalise on a strong game he played against a travelled-fatigued David, overlooking several winning chances in the last stage of the game. David keeps his unbeaten record and is running a close 2^nd to Zoe Kingston.

2010 RAPID TOURNAMENT—5 September 2010

The Kapiti Rapid Tournament attracted 25 players, down from normal attendance numbers as the event was held on Father’s Day. Five players with a rating of 2000 plus were in attendance including eleventh-time New Zealand champion IM Anthony Ker and former New Zealand champ IM Russell Dive. Top New Zealand Junior Alan Ansell and local Kapiti player Johnny Hynes helped to make up the field of six in the Junior class.