Play in the John Kingston Memorial Trophy continues and with 3.5 points, David Paul has a slender half point lead, closely followed by Alan Winfield and Ross Jackson. Natalie Bowles had a good win against Rick Lowe. 

Don’t forget our Games page where Club games are available to check and analyse.

The John Kingston Memorial Trophy is well underway. After 3 rounds, David Paul leads the field, half a point ahead of Ross Jackson. It’s early days yet and plenty more water to flow under the bridge in this 8 round Tournament. Full results: here

Kapiti Chess Club is considering holding a winter tournament based on a new approach to being developed in Russia—click here for more details.

The John Kingston Memorial Trophy—55 minutes with 5 second add-on—has kicked off. Several players were unable to attend and we look forward to their presence next time. Full results on our website, under ‘results and ratings’

The AGM was held Tuesday 02 February and last year’s Committee was virtually re-elected—main change being Alan Winfield is now Club Captain and David Paul Vice-Club Captain. Fees remain the same as last year, except for casual fees which increase to $3 per night for Juniors and $6 for Seniors. Further details of the AGM will be soon posted to our website.

After the AGM David Paul gave a quick lecture on the Colle System, an old favourite of the late Glenys Mills.

The Club was honoured to have Jonathan Sarfati in attendance—an old friend of the Club, not forgetting an International Master and former NZ Champion—who played a simultaneous exhibition against 10 players. David Paul distinguished himself with the only win against Jonathan—photos here.

Chess starts in a few days—Tuesday 2 February—yes, that’s in a few days and it’s a Tuesday, our first Tuesday meeting ever.

We start with the AGM to review the previous year, set fees and elect Club Officials, then David Paul will take us through some tuition and an Irish Gambit night—exciting stuff!

Greetings for 2016

We start the year with a new change of day—Tuesday 2 February.

The year begins with our AGM where we elect Club officials, set fees and discuss matters of interest.

For an exciting read, attached is a copy of the Financial Report for the 2015 period.

More background reading see the Governance and Fees page.

All serious games are now finished. All competition games are now over.

Come along to the end-of-year Prize-giving—7:30 this Wednesday 16th. Bring a plate (with food), drink (alcohol is okay) and family and friends and more than welcome. Celebrate the end of year in style.

We’ve made the split between B and C Grades. It’s only one more round of play to go. Alan Winfield easily takes out the A Grade. Sean Doyle the B Grade. But, for the C Grade—Rose Kingston and last year’s winner, Junior, Johnny Hynes—are neck and neck—the results from our last round will determine the winner—watch this space…

A clash of the Titans on board one, saw the top two chess players in Kapiti battle it out. When the smoke settled—Alan Winfield’s win over incumbent, seven times in a row, champion David Paul—confirmed Alan’s name on the champions Trophy.

With two more nights of play remaining for the Champs there still room to determine 2nd place. Sean Doyle leads the B and C Grade by a full 2 points and appears unstoppable.

Don’t forget to plan to attend our prize-giving on 16 December—bring a plate and some drink, alcohol is allowed.

Like a run-away railway wagon, Alan Winfield continues to draw ahead of the field in the Club Champs with a commanding two and half point lead over nearest contender David Paul—with only 3 more games to go the title is virtually Alan’s. Sean Doyle is now in front in the B and C Grade, half a point ahead of the late Glenys Mills.

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.