After 2 more games of Series 2 of the Leo Eichholtz Trophy, Paul Frost has  nudged into the lead, closely followed by a large pack of Guy Burns, John Whibley, Alistair McGowan and David Paul. With such a large group chasing this Trophy there’s going to be some exciting chess over the next 2 weeks.

Nine boards were in play for our Freebird Trophy—such numbers have not been seen for a while. Top Kapiti Junior Johnny Hynes played well with wins against Senior players Guy Burns and Ian Liddell. After this second round, current champion David Paul has caught John Whibley to share the lead, but several strong players are not far behind, including dark horses Alan Winfield and Andy Hick—full results here. Ratings have been adjusted, these can be checked Here. Club Subs can be paid into our bank account, use your name for a reference. Next Club night sees play return to the Leo Eichholtz Trophy—series 2.

The final 2 games of series one of the Leo Eichholtz Trophy were played and David Paul and Paul Frost are neck and neck—closely followed by a marauding pack. We welcome ex-Wellington Club player Alan Winfield to the Club.
Next week we continue series two of the Freebird Trophy. Please note, ratings will be adjusted at the end of all Tournaments (or series of Tournaments).

A great turnout with 16 players contesting the Leo Eichholtz  Trophy. We welcome two new players to the Club—Paul Benefield and Andy Hicks. Rose Kingston had 2 great wins to put her within half a point of the lead. Paul Frost had a notable win against current champion David Paul, which nudges him into the lead with 3.5 points.

Chess is now fully underway at the Chess Club with two rounds being played in the Eichholtz Board Trophy (25 minutes plus 5 second add-on). It’s same again for the our next night.

The 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kapiti Chess Club was held to elect Officers, set Fees and discuss business. Fees have been raised—the first time in several years—due to a steady increase in rent. After the AGM, 4 rounds of the Freebird Trophy were held and John Whibley came out on top with 3 and half points, closely followed by Lars Dobbertin-King and David Paul.

2014 is now history and 2015 begins. David Paul took the Kapiti Chess Club Championship Trophy and now equals Earl Roberts record of having his name on the Trophy 8 times. Will he manage an historic 9th time? — time will tell as both experienced and up-and-coming players nip at his heals.

The Club Championships are now over and the dust has settled. David Paul finished the year Kapiti Chess Club Supreme Champion taking the honours for all Trophies–A Grade Championship, John Kingston Memorial Trophy, Leo Eichholtz Trophy, Freebird Trophy, Grand Prix Prize and Blitz Champs. Rick Lowe won the B Grade Trophy and top Junior Johnny Hynes the C Grade Trophy. For photos of the Prize-giving, click Here.

Defending champion David Paul beat contender Paul Frost to set his seal on the Club Championships. John Whibley won against Sean Doyle. Lars Dobbertin-King drew with experienced Glyns Mills. Johnny Hynes beat leading B and C Grade contender Rick Lowe. Club Captain Mike O’Rorke won against battler Rose Kingston. Zephyr Wills beat Ian Liddell and Spenser Viernes won against Hayden.
Nathan Price had the bye.
Next week is the last round of the Club Champs.

Kapiti Chess Club member Guy Burns attended the 18 Gokarna International Chess Tournament held in South India 23 November 2014. The Swiss-based Tournament was run over 5 rounds at the Namaste Yoga Farm, Kudle Beach, Karnataka. Guy struggled against a strong international field and his loss to Spainard Luisa Zamora in the first round set the tone for his play in the Tournament. Europeans dominated the event, with top honours being shared by Oliver Drometer (Germany) and Tapani Sydӓnmetsӓ (Sweden) with 4 points, followed by Jӧrg Gehmann (Germany) on 3. Full photos HERE.

2nd Round of the Final Series of the Kapiti Club Championships was played and Lars Dobbertin-King achieved a respectable draw against current title-holder David Paul. A draw now puts David only one point ahead of nearest rival Paul Frost–their game will be the one to watch as a win by Paul will put him level with David. There are no other players within cooee, so the Kapiti Coast Chess champion will be one of these two players.
Rick Lowe leads the field in the B and C Grade, one and a half points from Ian Liddell.
Johnny Hynes is in front of the Juniors, half a point from fellow Junior Spencer Viernes.

The final round of our Blitz Tournament was played tonight and ultimately, David Paul came out trumps with a two and half point lead over his nemesis Paul Frost. Club Captain Mike O’Rorke took out third place with 14.5 points. In the Juniors Zephyr Wills and Spencer Viernes share honours for the top spot.
Next week is the third and last series of the Club Championships—6 rounds of play—and there’s still a chance to knock David Paul off his perch, but, it won’t be easy with his one and a half points lead.

Last game of the 2nd series of our Club Championships was played and maestro Paul Frost played a strong game against current Kapiti Chess champion David Paul. Once again David still managed to avoid a loss in this Tournament, with the game ending in a draw, David continues to lead—ahead one and half points from nearest rival Paul Frost.

Club Captain Mike O’Rorke plans succeeded with a fine swindle against John Whibley. Junior, Johnny Hynes played well to beat dark horse Ian Liddell and Ian now has 6 points—only a half point lead from Rick Lowe, who is half a point off top placed Junior Spencer Viernes. Lars Dobbertin-King won against Glyns Mills and Sean Doyle beat Rose Kingston. Rick Lowe won by default with a bye point.

The 3rd and last series of the Champs starts 29 October and will go through to 3 December. Our next game to be played is the 3rd night of our Blitz competition—see you there!

David Paul continues his lead in the Club Champs—a full point and half ahead of his nearest rivals, whilst it’s a much tighter battle in the B and C Grades. Here, Ian Liddell leads by a bare half point from Rick Lowe, who, is closely followed by leading Junior Spencer Viernes—Full Results below. See you there for the final round of Club Champs Series 2—and don’t forget there is still hope for those on less points: we have a Series 3.

Alistair McGowan put some pressure on David Paul in their Club Champ game. But, with the battle ending in a draw, David continues his unbeaten run and leads his nearest rivals—Paul Frost and Alistair—by one and half points. Rick Battler Lowe leads the B and C Grade, one point ahead of Ian Liddell.

David Paul slowly extends his lead in the Club Championships with the absence of Alistair McGowan and won his game against ex-Olympiad player Glyns Mills. Mike O’Rorke beat Rick Lowe and Sean Doyle won against Junior Zephyr Wills. Johnny Hynes beat visitor Hayden. John Whibley won against Paul Frost and Lars Dobberton-King beat leading B Grade contender Ian Liddel. Top Junior Spencer Viernes won his game against Rose Kingston. Next round is the 4th game of the 2nd series of the Champs.

Round 2 of the second series of the Club Championships was played and David Paul continues to lead the A grade by one point from Alistair McGowan and Paul Frost. Ian Lowe and Rick Lowe are neck and neck in the B & C grade. Spencer Viernes is also a point ahead, in the Junior League. See you there for round 3.

Series B of the Club Championships has just begun. Congratulations to 13 year old Wellington chess player Layla Timergazi who has just earned her World Chess Federation women’s ‘Master’ title after winning six and drawing two of her 10 games at the World Chess Olympiad held in Tromso, Norway in early August— Click Here for more information. Round 2 of our Champs next Wednesday—see you there!

We played round 7 of the Freebird Trophy (15 – 15 minute timeframe) and competition is heating up. Paul Frost won all his games to streak ahead within 2 points of current champion David Paul with Mike O’Rorke in 3rd position on 19 points. In the Juniors, Spencer Viernes and Johnny Hynes share the lead. There is one more round to go (10 December) to decide this Trophy. Next Club night—10 September—we start series B of the Club Championships.

14 players turned up for the last round of series A of the Club Championships. Current Kapiti champion David Paul leads—but only by half a point from a determined Paul Frost. Spencer Viernes is tops the Juniors—one point ahead of nearest rival Zephyr Wills. Mad Mike O’Rorke played Dynamic David Paul with the game being won in the end game by David. Alistair wham McGowan battled it out with Paul Frost and lost—well done Paul. Ian Liddell drew against Glenys Mills and Rick Lowe dealt to Spencer Viernes with a fine win.
Lars Dobberton-King defeated Johnny Hynes and Rose Kingston beat the new guy and potential club member Devi. A great night was held by all. Next week we have another round of our 15 15 tournament.