Hamilton Chess Club

“Blitz rots the brain just as surely as alcohol.” – Nigel Short

The votes are in and it is 6 to 5 for blitz, with 5 + 3 as the most popular choice for time control. The votes (of those that expressed a preference) are as follows:

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Accordingly the next two weeks will be the blitz, with scores going towards deciding Club Blitz Champion 2014, and Club Blitz Champion 2014 (Reserve Board).

The format will be Swiss tournament, 6 rounds per night, at time control  5 + 3. Players will be able to accumulate a maximum of 6 points per night, 36 over the tournament. The winner will be the individual with the most points. In the case of a tied score, the winner will be decided based on the individual game scores between the contestants over the 6 weeks of the tournament. If still tied, a tiebreak match of four games at 3 + 2 will be used. The highest scoring player will be awarded the title of Club Blitz Champion and will have their name immortalized on the champions board. The title of Club Blitz Champion (reserve board), also immortalized as above, will be awarded to the highest scoring player whose club ranking was pawn, knight, or bishop at the start of the tournament. Players can take a bye in one week and receive 3 points. No byes in the final round. Each round robin will be open to anyone present on the night, including guests, but only club members will be eligible for the titles. We will have two consecutive weeks now, again in July, and then the deciding two nights in September. Draws will be seeded based on club ranking. Games will start at 7:30 pm. A single late addition will be made to the draw on the night in the event there is an odd number of players. No late additions will be permitted if there is an even number in the draw for that particular night.

This years Waikato Open will be held on June 27. A flyer is here, and the registration page can be found here.  Once again the Hamilton Chess Club will be hosting this premiere tournament at St Paul’s Collegiate, the premiere venue. Players at any level are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

Two for blitz, one for rapid, one either way. Dont forget to have your say.

Members are invited to respond to the group email that I sent out voting for what they want next week — either the start of the club blitz champs, or the start of the club rapid champs. Results of the poll will be posted on Sunday night

Both Graham and Richard Dare gained additional club rating points last night achieving personal best scores. The full crosstable from last night appears on the other side of the break

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If you have been thinking about coming along for a look then next week 29/4/14 at 7pm is a good place to start. Games will be informal and kick off shortly after 7. New members are always welcome.

With the school holidays on last night was to be a casual chess night, but the cry went up for a round robin so an impromptu seven rounds of 3 + 3 eventuated. Graham top scored on 7 points. Richard and Ian tied for second with 5 each. Club ratings have been updated (Craig, Ian, and Graham achieve new personal bests, with Graham now number 3 in the club ranking). Casual chess again next week. Visitors welcome. (last nights crosstable appears below …) (more…)

Gary and his wife Gerri (with Hiltons able assistance as arbiter and doing the draw) ran a very successful 7 round Swiss tournament for Waikato school pupils on the weekend. There were 56 participants – 20 high school, 22 intermediate, and 14 primary. Club members featured prominently with Daniel and Sivoram 1 – 2 in the high school division, and Adam and Joel 2 – 4 in the Primary. The final crosstables, and a few photos, are here. Congratulations to all the participants, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

The ratings page has been updated incorporating the games from the club champs. Several members have achieved personal bests (Hilton Bennett, 1645; Eddie Tan, 1587; Gary Judkins, 1577, Ian Kennedy, 1547; Craig Scott, 1506).  Richard Dare enters the rating board at position number 4, and Hilton takes top spot 2 points ahead of Michael. Full results can be accessed here.

Craig managed a 6 from 5 to take out the club junior champs. He receives a book prize, and his name immortalized on the former champs page. He also achieves a personal best club rating of 1506 Samuel and Joel took out second and third respectively. The final crosstable is posted here.

Hilton came out on top with a perfect 6 to be Club Champ 2014. Stefan had a chance in the final round with both players getting down to under a minute on the clock before Stefan resigned in the face of mounting pressure. Second place went to Eddie on 4.5, then Stefan 3^rd on tie break. The full crosstable is here.

The club championship is still wide open as tie break rules mean that if Stefan draws level with Hilton next week he may take out the top spot. On the other hand if Hilton wins against Stefan then Eddie could claim clear second if he wins his game, while others have the potential to come up to 4 points and take out the bronze on tie break. Similar considerations apply to The Junior division, with Samuel capable of drawing level with Craig, and then the decision coming down to tie break

The crosstables after five rounds of the club champs, and next weeks draw appear below. Remember clocks will start at 7:15 pm so dont be late

Open Division –Crosstable after 5 rounds

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Junior Division –Crosstable after 5 rounds

Next weeks’ draw

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Many members are now in arrears for their annual subs. Check out this page to see when your membership expires. Online payment preferred

The crosstables after 4 rounds of the club champs, and next weeks draw are below. No player requested byes in the final two rounds so the draw will stand as posted below. Remember clocks will start at 7:15 pm so dont be late

Open Division –Crosstable after 4 rounds

Junior Division –Crosstable after 4 rounds

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If, like me, you have already worked out that it is going to take another years practice before you are able to achieve the lofty title of Club Champ there are still other goals that you can strive for. Below is a list (in rank order) of those members that played in last years champs, and are featuring again this year. If you arent going to be on the podium, the next best thing would be to improve your rank order among this illustrious group.

Those of you that get the Hamilton Press may have seen the article on page 7 featuring Gary and his passion for using Chess in schools as a way of enhancing mathematical ability. Gary and Geri will once again running the Waikato School Pupils tournament, a flyer for which can be accessed here

The latest national ratings list has been released. Club members NZCF standard and rapid ratings, along with any change since the last rating, have been updated on the page “Who We Are”

Check the page “who we are” to see if your sub is due. Many memberships come due around now. Annual fees remain at last years level — $40 adult, $20 junior. On line payment is preferred.

The crosstables after three rounds of the club champs, and next weeks draw (assuming no one notifies a bye) are below. Please notify bye requests by Sunday evening or the draw will stand as posted below. Remember clocks will start at 7:15 pm so dont be late

Open Division – Crosstable after 3 rounds

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Junior Division –Crosstable after 3 rounds

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Next Weeks Draw (if no byes)