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.
Please note: Our Junior Chess Club is currently fully subscribed, and we are operating a wait list for new members. If you would like your child to join, please contact us to be added to the wait list. We will offer places as they become available.
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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T3 Prizegiving
The latest T3 Junior Rapid provided another exciting day of competitive chess for our Junior Club players, with strong performances across both the Champions and Challengers Divisions. Champions Division In the Champions Division, Isaiah produced a perfect performance, winning all eight of his games to take the gold medal. Stanley finished two points behind in…
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Stanley wins at Windy City Blitz
🏆 Stanley Fitton Wins B Grade at Windy City Blitz! Congratulations to Stanley Fitton, who shared first place in the B Grade (1200–1600) at the inaugural Windy City Blitz, scoring an excellent 9/16. Stanley’s performance was particularly impressive, with two outstanding wins against much higher-rated opposition: Thomas van der Hoorn (2015) and Ryan Winter (2097).…
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Kāpiti Homeschoolers Shine
🏆 Kāpiti Homeschoolers Shine at 2026 Kāpiti Junior Chess Championship! The 2026 Kāpiti Junior Chess Championship was held on 29 August at Paraparaumu College, bringing together some of the region’s strongest junior players from across Kāpiti, Horowhenua and the wider Wellington region. It was a particularly successful day for Kāpiti players, with excellent results across…
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Kapiti Players Shine at Upper Hutt Rapid
Several Kapiti players travelled to Hutt International Boys’ School recently to compete in the Upper Hutt Rapid, joining a strong field from across the Wellington region. Our juniors produced some excellent performances, gaining valuable tournament experience and continuing to improve against quality opposition. Isaiah Heta and Stanley Fitton both scored 4 wins from 6 games…
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T2 Results & Presentation
Presentation of medals for the Club’s second internal junior tournament of the year, the T2 Rapid, took place on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. In the Champions Division, Isaiah Heta claimed his second Rapid title of the year. Despite a loss in the final round, he held on to edge out James Patterson on tie-break. James…
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Interschool Report Card
The NZCF Wellington Regional Chess Championship was held recently over three days. Primary DivisionThe Primary Division attracted a record number of entries, increasing from 18 teams last year to 30 this year. To accommodate the 120 students playing simultaneously, the event was moved to the larger venue at Amesbury School. Kapiti schools were well represented…