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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.

Temporary relocation to the Community Centre did not hinder the art of chess. Zoe Kingston and Tim Robert’s game was a classic—hard fought and quite even, but Zoe’s past pawn was too strong, eventually sealing another win for Zoe, and she continues to lead the pack.

Don’t forget, our next meet is again at the Community Centre.

Kapiti Coast District Council (our landlord) has informed the Club, that, because of local-body elections—over the period 15 September to 13 October—the Club will using the Community Centre (100 meters to the West of Library) for Wednesday night games.

The Kapiti Rapid was held on 5 September 2010. The 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.

Sunday was bleak and grey, which helped players focus on the high calibre of chess being played. Kapiti member Alistair McGowan had an outstanding day beating Chris Burns and drawing against Brian Nijman to win the B grade section. David Paul finished a respectable 2^nd, followed by Stuart Holdaway, Anil Jhurani, Andrew Brockway and Lawrence Farrington.

B Grade winners dominated by the Kapiti Chess Club’s Alistair McGowan (front right, winner)
and fellow club mate David Paul (front left, 2nd). 3rd place-getters (from left): Stewart Holdaway, Anil Jhurani,
Andrew Brockway and Lawrence Farrington.

A grade winners. 1st equal:  IM Russell Dive and IM Anthony Ker (reigning NZ chess champion). 3rd place: Brian Nijman (middle).

Up and coming Junior Alan Ansell from New Plymouth took the Top Junior prize.

David Paul scored a key win against leader Zoe Kingston, to bring him back into contention to defend his title. After tonight’s play, David, Tim and Zoe share the lead, closely followed by Dennis, Mike, Christy and John. This event has been conspicuous by the absence of Guy and Itay. Italy is back tonight and Guy will re-join the Tournament next week.

Don’t forget the Kapiti Rapid Tournament on Sunday (5 September). Kapiti players who turn up at 8:00 and help with the running of the event will gain subsidised entry. We have had some good publicity with articles in Thursday’s Observer and the Kapiti Independent News.