Hamilton Chess Club

We had 16 turn out last night. Nathan maintained his lead and is crowned club champ for 2024. Graham was the runner up. For the rest of us there is always next year! Final crosstable below

Club ratings have been updated incorporating the first five rounds of the Club Champs. Check out where you are at. 

School Holidays so we are in recess. Round six of the club champs will be 30 April, then some shorter time control chess. Check out the calendar for the schedule.

The club welcomes Paul as its newest member.

With one round to go Graham can potentially draw level with Nathan on points, but Nathan would still take out the club champs on tie break. Everyone else is contesting the minor placings and planning to improve for next year. Crosstable is below

With two rounds to go Nathan is in the lead with a score of 3.5. Turnout is picking up also with 16 players present last night. Crosstable is below

The club is closed next week as the school is not open. See you April 9th

The club welcomes Lillian as its newest member

The round 2 crosstable is below. New players welcome to join next week, see you there

In the past we have closed off entry to the club champs after round 2 but in the spirit of trying to boost membership players are welcome to join the club champs at any point. Come along for some serious (60 minutes plus 10 second increment) chess over the next five club nights. There will be shorter time controls after that.

The club welcomes Cameron as its newest member

We will have round 2 this week. Dont worry if you didnt make it for round 1, joining in round 2 is still possible

Club ratings have been updated incorporating games from the Icebreaker Blitz and Summer Cup.

Remember that our premier event, the club champs, will kick off on Tuesday 07 March.

Time control will be the same as last year at 60 minutes + 10 seconds per move from move 1.

One game per night over 6 weeks.

The format will be start time 7.15pm (7.30 on week 1), 1 game per night. We will permit non members/prospective members to play in the first two rounds in the hope of invigorating membership. After that games will be  limited to financial members (or financial members temporarily in arrears). You can check when your sub is due by going to the website – About > Who We Are. Online payments preferred, see the website for details. If you are not currently a member but want to take part then you can join on the first night.

(Adult: $40 per year, or $25 for 6 months. Juniors $20 per year)

A single division Swiss Style Tournament. The overall winner will be awarded the title Club Champion 2019 and receive all the accolades that are associated with the title. The highest rated junior  will be awarded the title Club Junior Champion 2019.

The draw will be based on Current club ratings. New players without a club rating will be assigned 1500 points for the purposes of the  draw.

Entry permitted in round one and two, but round one preferred!.  If you can’t make it on the first night let me know and you will be awarded a half point bye. If you enter in round two without prior notification you will retrospectively receive a zero point bye for round 1. Also if you want to play but might be a little late on the first night let me know and I will include you in the draw. Please don’t turn up after 7:15. Entries will not be accepted in week three or beyond.

Games start at 7.15pm – a 30 minute late time applies (your game is lost if you are 30 minutes late). Clocks will be started at 7:15 even if neither player is present.

Usual FIDE laws apply with  the exception of the Hamilton Chess Club Special Rules found on the website. Disputes committee will be club executive (Hilton Ian and Richard). If one or two of the disputes committee is/are party to a dispute, the remaining member(s) will constitute the disputes committee.

Please bring a pen if you wish to record your games. Recording is not mandatory, but if you don’t record your game you will not be allowed to claim a draw for the 50 move rule or 3 fold repetition unless agreed by your opponent.

One 1/2 point bye allowed per player, if notified to Ian the Sunday before the round that it applies.

No half point byes allowed in rounds 5 or 6.

Tie breaks will be according to the NZ  standard  1. Direct Encounter. 2. Cumulative (Sum of Progressive Scores). 3. Total Buchholz. 4. Sonneborn-Berger. 5. Buchholz Cut1.   If still tied the award will be shared.

The Summer Cup crosstable is below

18th BoP Rapid 2024 is to be held on Saturday 24th February 2024. The Bay of Plenty Rapid (BoP Rapid) that is held on the last Saturday of February annually is one of most popular weekend rapids in the country. Time control is 25 minutes plus 5 seconds. Details and entry forms are here. Get your entry in and enjoy playing chess in a pleasant tournament at one of the most beautiful regions in the country.

The club is in action after the Summer Hiatus. Nathan took line honours in the Icebreaker blitz. We will have 3 rounds of 10 + 0 on each of two weeks from next week. Guests welcome. See you then