Round 2 sees William Peter and Hilton leading on 2 points. Craig Scott had a well deserved win against Ian. Dont forget to let Ian know if you want to take a bye with the next round. Standings can be found here
A fun time was had on Anzac day – thank you to all that participated and a very big thank you for Ian Kennedy for taking over as a very able but first-time Director of Play. I know taking on a new job can be a very nervous prospect, but from all accounts it went very smoothly. Full results and Ian’s commentary can be found here.
Club Championship 2012 kicks off
Posted: 27/04/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: chess tournaments, club
The club champs started this week with 12 players. Next week will be your last chance to participate and achieve the glory and accolades that come with being Club Champion 2012. Remember entry is $5 to go towards prizes and please bring along your membership subscription if you havent already paid for 2012.
If you enter next week you will be considered to have used up your one permissible bye. There will be a prize for the prettiest combination giving a decisive winning advantage, so don’t forget to nominate a combination from your game if you think you are in contention. The cross table will be produced next week after round 2.
ANZAC Day Rapid – don’t forget it
Posted: 08/04/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: chess tournaments, rapid
We are taking entries for this event – so please keep them coming in. 7 rounds of 20 minute +5 seconds a move chess, please be there from 9:45am. Full details are here and go here to register. So what else would you be doing on your day off?
Rookies event 1, a vanishing trend?
Posted: 28/02/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: chess tournaments, rookies
I am finding it hard to get the numbers to run this event, this is a first. But it has got me wondering about the format of having a single division. Perhaps it gets run in say 3 divisions: U1600, U1300 and ‘U1400 and under 14’.
This at least would stop kids complaining about ‘having to play adults’ (well, those that qualify for the 3rd division). A single division has worked well before however. I realise we all have other things to do, so chess may get put down the list…
On a brighter note, we start the Autumn Rapid tonight at the club, 6 rounds of 25’+5″ chess, 2 games a night for three consecutive Tuesdays. This is free for members (visitors pay $5 per night).
Update 05/03: A great day was had by all 24 players and supporters. Full commentary, results and pictures are here.
Where are those Rookies boys?
Posted: 19/02/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: chess tournaments, rookies
Just 2 weeks now to the 1st Rookies Shield for 2012 (4th Mar) , and so far only girls have been registered. When I say only girls, I think it is great we have females entering. If we have enough ladies, then we can run a separate division.
But come on boys – get going and register now!
And this Tuesday at the club we have the first club tournament for 2012 – a one night Blitz event (free for members, $5 for non-members). And the following Tuesday, we start the Autumn Cup (a 6 round 25/5 rapid play tournament, one game per night. Not NZCF rated. Free entry for club members, $10 for non-members, book prizes)
Waikato-Tainui Games 2012
Posted: 17/02/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: chess tournaments, maori, tainui
The Waikato-Tainui Games was on this weekend (well, this is the last of 3 weekend events) in a big way outside Taupiri, at the Hopuhopu Sports and Tribal Complex. A lot of sports are being played.
Chess was represented from 14 Maraes, playing a 6-round G15/0 tournament. Most of the players had not used clocks before and so this introduced more stress for them than usual. But overall the experience was a good one for the mix of adults and juniors (with two ladies playing). The venue was very good with plenty of space and the air conditioning was much appreciated as summer seems to have arrived at last. Once the event was over, and for a bit of fun, I played a simul against any takers.
Cross table and some pictures are below. And a big thank you to Don Turner and his family for letting me get involved and helping out on the day.
| No | Marae | Total | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1 | Te Kauri | 5.5 | 6:W | 9:W | 2:D | 11:W | 3:W | 5:W |
| 2 | Taniwha | 5 | 4:W | 7:W | 1:D | 3:D | 5:W | 6:W |
| 3 | Kaitumutumu | 4 | 11:D | 5:W | 9:W | 2:D | 1:L | 7:W |
| 4 | Maungatautari | 3.5 | 2:L | 14:W | 11:D | 8:+ | 6:L | 10:W |
| 5 | Waikare | 3 | 0:W | 3:L | 10:W | 7:W | 2:L | 1:L |
| 6 | Maurea | 3 | 1:L | 10:L | 14:W | 13:+ | 4:W | 2:L |
| 7 | Waahi | 3 | 10:W | 2:L | 13:W | 5:L | 9:W | 3:L |
| 8 | Tuurangawaewae | 2.5 | 0:D | 11:L | 12:W | 4:- | 10:W | 9:L |
| 9 | Horahora | 2 | 13:W | 1:L | 3:L | 10:L | 7:L | 8:W |
| 10 | Ngaa Hau e Whaa | 2 | 7:L | 6:W | 5:L | 9:W | 8:L | 4:L |
| 11 | Rukumoana | 2 | 3:D | 8:W | 4:D | 1:L | 0: | 0: |
| 12 | Oomaero | 1.5 | 0:D | 13:L | 8:L | 14:W | 0: | 0: |
| 13 | Pohara | 1 | 9:L | 12:W | 7:L | 6:- | 0: | 0: |
| 14 | Waingaro | .5 | 0:D | 4:L | 6:L | 12:L | 0:- | 0: |
And some pictures…
2012 events announced
Posted: 09/02/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: blitz tournament, chess tournaments, rapid, rookies, swiss event
Well we are going to have a great time this year, with a raft of events on club nights and a number of weekend events. The table on the calendar page summarises the full year list of events, too numerous to mention here. But some things are worth a few words…
We start on club nights with a blitz tournament (21st Feb) followed by 3 nights of the Autumn Rapid. Then I am very excited about the start (on 27 Mar) of the club championship and reserves events. The club championship will be a 10 player 90/30 round robin that is FIDE and NZCF rated. The club reserves will be a 9 round 60/10 swiss event. More details to follow.
The first weekend event is the ever popular Rookies Shield is back again this year, 3 events spread through the year, with the first event on 4 Mar. This is for those new to chess, chess tournaments, and is limited to players under an NZCF rating of 1600. We hope to have separate girls only divisions this year, numbers allowing. So please register now to kick off a great Rookies season.
I was just made aware of this you tube link to about 400 paintings where chess is shown in some fashion. Interesting to see how it has changed through the years. Quite a few women playing as well, and most of them are clothed and looking serious about it. Just two examples are posted here.
And while I have your attention, just a reminder that the club is up and going for this year as usual, from 5.45pm Tuesdays for chess coaching and from 7pm for regular club night. This Tuesday we are planning the year’s activities, so stay tuned for a refreshed calendar of events.
..playing a Brazilian chess player I mean! The club is organising for tonight that we can play a simul against the Brazilian IM Herman van Riemsdijk. 
Herman is visiting Hamilton for a few days and we are very pleased to have him here so that he can share his knowledge of chess and talk about his worldwide experiences.
Tonight it will be a timed simul (ie using clocks), to give us some certainty of a finish time 😉 and to allow a more level playing field for all. Entry fee for the simul is $12.
Herman has played against a range of present and past world champions and top flight chess players, and I am sure he will have a lot to share with us. So please come along on our opening club night from 7pm for some fun and entertainment.
Update: Herman (pictured) was a pleasure to host last night. 12 players took him on and the score line was 11-0-1 to Herman, one win coming from our newest member and a fellow dutchman, Peter Hulshof. We are getting people from all over the world coming to the Hamilton Chess Club 😉
Chess at Parachute 2012
Posted: 30/01/2012 by Scott in Club NewsTags: club, outdoor chess, parachute
An enjoyable 4 days were had at Mystery Creek for chess being played on the Village Green at the Parachute music festival (27-30 Jan). It was a chance to promote the club and chess in general. Some pics are attached to here. We had a large outdoor set, kindly donated for the weekend by St Pauls Collegiate (thanks Gary Judkins) and 6 regular sets on outdoor tables. The kids at Parachute enjoyed the chance to get into chess between the music shows and other amusements.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 20,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Come one, come all!! 9 Rounds of chess, spread over 3 nights, starting Tuesday 22 Nov from 7.30pm. Two 5-minute games (worth 1 point each) and one 20’+5″ game (worth 2 points) per night. Compete for stuffed full Christmas hampers. Best Adult, best junior and a lucky door prize hamper that any entrant can win. One prize per player. Come and enjoy some Christmas chess. No half point byes allowed.
$5 entry for members, $10 entry for non-members – just turn up and play/pay. Presentation to be held at our Christmas function, on 13 Dec at the club.
A list of current results can be found here.
Just a quick note that the Waikato Open is starting tomorrow night from 7pm at St Pauls Collegiate School, Hamilton. We have over 35 already registered/paid, with a strong Open/FIDE Rated section (8 of the 16 so far with rating over 2000) and many playing in the under 1800 section.
It is not too late to register – full details of the event are here, and/or how to register.
Yes it is a 3-day event, the largest and longest time control you will find in the Waikato this year. So if you are serious about your chess, or want to grab an NZCF rating or to establish a FIDE rating, or some Grand Prix class 1 points, then get along.
Yes it’s back, and as big as ever! How big? Grand Prix Class 1 big! This is the premier Waikato chess event for 2011. The prize fund is over $1400.
So big it takes 3 days: the Waikato Open runs from 11-13 November this year, held at St Pauls Collegiate. One round Friday night, 3 rounds on Saturday and 2 rounds on Sunday. Up to 4 hours of thinking time per game, so start getting fit for a lot of sit!
The Open is divided into 2 sections: the open event is FIDE & NZCF Rated; the U1800 event is NZCF rated. Full details are here. Note that registration and payment is required before the event. Discounts for 2 or more from the same family, and for Hamilton chess club members.
To celebrate the new Hamilton Chess Centre (within Hamilton Girls High School), this Rapid is going to be bigger than usual for us.
6 rounds of 20+5 minute rapid chess for all ages. NZCF rapid rated. And Guaranteed Prize money of $500. All the details are here. More importantly – the results are here.
And semi final number 2 of the RWC does not start until 9pm (in Auckland), so there is no excuse to not come out and enjoy some chess!
After 6 months of occupation of the Hamilton Club by the Hamilton Chess Club, and after the 100 year history of the Hamilton Club building, we have had to move due to the building being relocated (a little closer to the river).
We will start up afresh at the Hamilton Girls High School, G Block, Hill St entrance, from 4 Oct. For a map and directions, see the about page. We appreciate the offers of help we received from other schools and groups. We will try to maintain our meeting times and the chess coaching sessions as usual, but there may be some disruption as we settle in.
North Island rapid – 20% discount for Hamilton club members!
Posted: 06/09/2011 by Scott in Club NewsWell entries are pouring in for this event on this Sunday (11th, from 9am), so the entrants should have quite a challenging day. A late fee applies from Friday, so register now and pay by direct debit to avoid disappointment! Hamilton chess club members receive a 20% discount on the entry fee – well worthwhile! All the details are here.
Edit 08/09/11: 26 online entries so far, and counting. So a bumper crowd is certain…
Final Round Rookies Shield on Sunday 4 Sept – roll up, roll up!
Posted: 19/08/2011 by Scott in Club NewsTags: rookies
The 5th and final Rookies Shield chess event for 2011 is on Sunday 4 Sept. This will be held at the Hamilton Chess Club, 21 Grantham St Hamilton, next to the Waikato museum.
We hope to see you there for another fun filled chess-playing day. We cater for those not used to playing in chess tournaments. It will also be good practice for any school kids going on to the National interschools at the end of Sept.
The chess will be fast and furious – 7 games over the day, with short time controls of 15 minutes each for all your thinking time. Cash Prizes will be given as a minimum for overall 1st and 2nd, the best adult, best unrated player, and the best U18, U16, U14, U12, U10 and U8 players (players can only win one prize).
Being the last Rookies shield event for 2011, therre will also be prizegiving for the best accumulated scores over the 5 rounds of 2011.
Entry fees:
$15 for adults (or just $10 if also entering a junior – come on you parents – take up the challenge and mix it up with your kids!)
$10 for juniors and Hamilton Chess Club members.
Be there from 11am (round 1 starts at 11.30am) – and there will be a 25 minute lunch break after round 3.
Please register in advance so we know you are coming (entry fees payable on the day). Go here: https://hamiltonchess.net/events/rookies-shield/
for more details and how to register.
I hope to see many new faces. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions.
Hamilton Chess Club 