Author: Gordon Lyall

Glenys Mills, chess stalwart and aficionado passed away Sunday 25 October 2015. Glenys was instrumental in establishing the Kapiti Chess Club in 1984, with the Club meeting in her family home in Waikanae. A strong, stubborn and passionate chess player, Glenys was a first-class player represented New Zealand at the 1990 Olympiad Tournament in Yugoslavia. Always an ardent Kapiti Chess Club supporter, Glenys played robust chess until 2 weeks ago, and currently leads the B Grade Championship. We offer our condolences to her Family, friends and fellow chess players.

Congratulations to Lars Dobbertin-King, winner of the 2015 Blitz Trophy. Lars fought a strong challenge from Guy Burns to keep his 1.5 point lead and take out the ultimate Kapiti speed-chess prize.

Our next and final phase of play—the third series of our Club Champs—starts Wednesday. Can Alan Winfield hold his lead of 2 points? Only time will tell as Kapiti’s top players battle it out.

The smoke has cleared in the 2nd series of our Club Champs and Alan Winfield leads the pack—ahead 2 points of his nearest rival David Paul. Glenys Mills leads the B & C grades, half a point of Sean Doyle.

Next, we play the final night for the Blitz Trophy, and as you can see below, Lars Dobbertin-King is in the front—can he hold the lead after the night? – only time will tell…

The penultimate round of the second series of the Club Champs was played and Alan Winfield continues to plough ahead, 2 points clear of his nearest rival, current champion David Paul. Glenys Mills is half a point ahead of Sean Doyle in the B and C grades. Our last round in this series is this Wednesday, followed by our final Blitz night.

Club Champs continue and Alan Winfield continues to draw ahead after round fivewh—a full 2 points ahead of David Paul. In the B and C Grades, Glenys Mills is only half a point ahead of Sean Doyle.

2 points separate the top 4 players, with current champion David Paul one point behind challenger to the throne; Alan Winfield. Watch this space as there’s plenty of water to flow under the bridge. Former Olympiad player Glenys Mills leads the B & C grades, with Sean Doyle nipping her heels, half a point back.

It was a battle of the Titans that went on until nearly the stroke of midnight. When the smoke cleared Alan Winfield won against current Kapiti Champion David Paul, putting Alan a clear one and half points into the lead.

The Kapiti Chess Club Rapid Tournament held in the Banana Leaf Restaurant, Raumati Beach was a resounding success. Over the Saturday, 20 people, including Bob and  Viv Smith from Mount Maunganui, played 6 rounds of exciting rapid chess, interrupted half-way by a superb Malaysian Curry. 5 NZ Chess champions were in attendance and International Chess Master Russell Dive won the event with 5 and half points out of 6 games.

Current Kapiti chess champion David Paul came 3rd overall, winning the B grade section with a commendable 4 points.

Photos from the event Here.

The Venue was

Banana Leaf Restaurant
346 Rosetta Road
Raumati Beach Shops

Round 2 of the Club Champs Series 2 was played.

Another competition, not so much talked about it the Grand Prix Trophy.
This is where players are allocated points for all games played, depending on their result and on how strong their opponent was. These points are accumulated throughout the year and the highest scorer wins. As you can see, David Paul is well ahead, but it’s neck and neck for the next 5 players—it’s going to be close.

For a change of tack—an interesting story from the wires—now Kapiti Chess Club is now considering using metal detectors for all Tournaments:
Final call for the Banana Leaf Rapid—Entry Form and further details are available Here.

Series 2 of the Club Champs resumed. Entries for the 2015 Kapiti Rapid are starting to come in and I can report a good response from Club players. Entry Form and further details are available Here.

Congratulations to John Whibley and Paul Frost, joint winners of the Freebird Trophy. Exciting 4 rounds of rapid chess was played and in the final round Paul Frost bet Alan Winfield to take four games from four and inch neck to neck with John Whibley, who lost to Alan Winfield in the previous round. Next Wednesday, we start Series 2 of the Club Champs. Also, Banana Leaf Rapid Social Chess Tournament in two weeks—12 September—more details Here.

The final round of Club Champs—Series A—was played and after a marathon 3 hour battle against Guy Burns, Alan Winfield prevailed to lead the Series. Lars Dobbertin-King’s draw against David Paul edges Alan into the lead, by half a point. Next Wednesday, we play 4 rounds in the final series of our Freedbird Trophy. 7 players are within one and half points from the lead, so, it will be an exciting night with the results determining the winner of this Trophy. Don’t forget the Banana Leaf Rapid Social Chess Tournament—12 September—more details Here.

Current Champion David Paul trounced Alan Winfield to draw even with Alan in the penultimate round of Series One, Club Championships.

On September 12 we will hold the 2015 Kapiti Rapid and it will have more of a social theme, being played out of a local Malaysian restaurant. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, or should I say plate of roti, but a fun, focused day of chess. The aim of the Tournament is of course chess, but, with more of a social flare than usual. 6 Rounds at 25 + 5. Lunch included in the $40 entry fee. Entry Form and further details are available Here.