Latest News

  • 32nd Kapiti Rapid

    The Kapiti Chess Club’s blue-ribbon event, the Kapiti Rapid, will be held on 23rd May 2026 at Paraparaumu College. The tournament features a 6-round Swiss format with a time control of 25 minutes plus 5 seconds per move, and will be FIDE rated.

    Open to players of all levels, the event offers a range of prize categories including Open/A Grade, B Grade, C Grade, Juniors, and Top Kapiti Player. Entry is $60, with free entry for titled players and Kapiti Chess Club Members.

    Players can register online here.

    Registered players: vega

    Format
    6-Round FIDE and NZCF Rated Swiss (25+5)

    Date
    23 May 2026

    Venue
    Paraparaumu College
    151 Mazengarb Road, Paraparaumu 5032

    Entry Fee $60
    Free entry for GMs, IMs, FMs, WGMs, WIMs, WFMs
    Prize fund $1,500

    Payment to Kapiti Chess Club, a/c # 06 0730 0064954 00. Include your “name” & “Rapid” as reference.  

    Prize Categories
    – Open / A Grade
    – B Grade
    – C Grade
    – Junior 12+
    – Junior u12
    – Top Kāpiti Player (Flora Paul Memorial Trophy)

    Contact
    If you require additional information or clarification, please contact:

    Gordon Lyall
    gordon@crazyhorsechess.co.nz
    ph: 029 905 8045

  • Mana Junior Rapid

    The inaugural Mana Junior Rapid Chess Tournament, will be held at Mana College on 9th May 2026.

    The event is suitable for all playing levels, from new to chess to elite juniors. The event includes 4 playing divisions:

    Open: Under 20 as of 1/1/26, NZCF Rating 1200+
    (FIDE- and NZCF-rated)
    Senior: 13 years & over
    Intermediate: 11–12 years
    Junior: 10 years & under

    The format is a 6-round Swiss tournament with 15 minutes + 5 second time control.

    The event will be ideal preparation for the Wellington Interschool Championships in June!

    Entry fee is $30 and entry form can be accessed online here.

  • ANZAC Day Junior Hybrid Rapid Inter Club Tournament

    Kapiti Chess Club Competes in ANZAC Day International Tournament

    Kapiti Chess Club is proud to be participating in this year’s ANZAC Day Junior Hybrid Rapid Inter Club Tournament.

    This exciting international event aims to promote inter-state and trans-Tasman friendship through a competitive and collaborative chess experience. Teams from Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia will compete from their own club venues, under the supervision of local arbiters and in full compliance with FIDE Hybrid Chess Regulations.

    Event Details

    • Format: Hybrid (online play from physical club venues)
    • Date: Saturday, 25 April 2026 (ANZAC Day)
    • Time Control: 12 minutes + 3 seconds increment
    • Structure: 10-Team Round Robin (9 rounds)
    • Platform: Tornelo Event Page

    Each team consists of six players under 18, including at least one boy and one girl..

    Kapiti Team Line-Up

    • Stanley Fitton
    • Azra Saglam
    • Isaiah Heta
    • Jingwei Xu
    • James Patterson
    • George Moore
    • Millar Wakefield

    We wish all players the very best in what promises to be a fantastic and inspiring international event.

    ♟️ Good luck to everyone competing!

  • Oceania Youth Chess Championships 2026

    The Oceania Youth Chess Championships is the premier junior chess event for the region, bringing together the strongest young players from countries including New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and other Pacific nations.

    This year the Championships will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand from the 9th to the 13th of April 2026.

    Open to age groups U8–U18 (Open & Girls), this premier event offers international experience, FIDE-rated games, and a pathway toward the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships.

    If you’re aiming to take your chess to the next level — this is the tournament to target.

    Further information is avaiable from NZCF here.

  • 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 another 1600+ player.

    The last game was fiercely contested, swinging back and forth, but ultimately went his opponent’s way. Despite the final-round loss, it was a strong overall performance in a highly competitive tournament.

    The Open Division was won by Candidate Master William Rui Liu from Auckland, who went unbeaten.

    Final Standings

    Open

    1st: CM William Rui Liu

    2nd =: FM Nicolas Croad, CM Cohen Young

    3rd = : CM Justin Zhide Wang, CM David Cilia Vincenti, Matthew Keith, Philli Park-Tamati, Patrick Cordue, Hugo Lawrence

    Best Junior: CM Justin Zhide Wang, Matthew Keith

    Best Veteran: Patrick Cordue

    Best Senior: IM Anthony Ker

    Best Female: WCM Luna Yuexiu Xu

    U1450

    1st =: Zachary He, Muhammad Mangera

    3rd=: Shashank Gavini, John Hao, James Patterson, Vrajesh Ravi

    U1650

    1st =: Hugo Lawrence

    2nd =: Elena Moshakova, Hugh Masters, Afique Nazeer, Plaso Kusay

    U1850

    1st=: Daniel Winsley, Karthik Sethuramalingam

    3rd=: Edgar Benitez, Wei Kai Chen, Robert Hurndell, Finn O’Brien, Jarrod O’Brien, Aristotle Santos, Toby Shannon, Gregory Familton

  • 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. Team Capablanca finished second with two wins, rounding out a strong performance.

    Winners: Team Alekhine

    1. Isaiah
    2. Lachlan
    3. Ronan
    4. Alex C
    5. Hunter

    2nd Place: Team Capablanca

    1. Millar
    2. Josh
    3. Orlando
    4. Charlie
    5. Leon (Reserve: Tautua)

  • 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 Heta
    2nd Silver Medal – Stanley Fitton
    3rd Bronze Medal – Millar Wakefield

    Challengers Division:
    1st Gold medal – Ronan McGrath
    2nd Silver Medal – Ryder Henderson
    3rd Bronze Medal – Orlando Liu

    Both events were very competitive, with 21 players registered in the Challengers Division and 14 players competing in the Champions grade.

    Congratulations to all.

  • Wellington Easter Open 2026 – Big Prize Fund!

    With a major prize fund, sure to attract top national players, and excellent playing conditions, this promises to be a standout event on the 2026 NZ chess calendar.

    ♟️ $9,775 Prize Fund
    6-Round FIDE & NZCF Rated Swiss (90+30)

    📅 Easter Weekend: April 3, 4 & 6 (No play Sunday)
    ⏰ Rounds at 9:30am & 2:30pm
    📍 Wellington Bridge Club, Thorndon

    • Single Open Tournament
    • Entry $60 | Juniors $40
    • Free entry for titled players (GM, IM, FM, WGM, WIM, WFM)
    • Open to all players

    Enter using the online Entry Form.

    Kapiti Chess Club members receive 50% discounted on the entry fee.

  • Coaching Camp – 29 March 2026

    Coaching Camp – 29 March 2026 (1:30–5:00pm, Zoom, 3.5 hours)

    Cost: $30 per player

    Designed especially for NZ players preparing for Oceania, this intensive 3.5-hour online training camp (via Zoom) is tailored for 1500–2000 rated competitors seeking to elevate their calculation strength and visualization accuracy.

    Participants will work through targeted drills to:

    • recognise tactical triggers
    • apply the CCTP method effectively
    • visualise complex lines with precision
    • accurately assess resulting positions

    The camp builds disciplined calculation habits, reduces common analytical errors, and strengthens overall competitive decision-making — with a strong emphasis on efficient time management under pressure.

  • 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 required a tie-break to decide third place, which went to Orlando ahead of Ryan, with both scoring 5.5.

    Congratulations to all players in what was a highly competitive event.

    Final standings:
    Champions
    Challengers