132nd NZ Chess Congress 2025

132nd New Zealand Chess Congress – New Zealand’s premier chess event.

PLEASE NOTE the online entry form is only accepting entries to the Lightning Championship (the Rapid is full) and only until 11:45pm 10 January – to enter on the day, please be at the venue before the players meeting at 8:30am. Acceptance of entries on the day subject to space constraints – entry online beforehand is highly recommended to avoid disappointment!

Photo Album on the NZCF Facebook Page

Accommodation is available at the venue at a special rate of $190 per night for a bureau room during the Congress dates. To book or for any queries, contact the hotel reservations manager Shabnam Khurana (email: ShabnamK@waipunahotel.co.nz; phone: 09 5263003) and use the booking code NZCF0125.

Entries are now open:

Please enter using the online entry form: https://forms.office.com/r/u0DhcNm10z. (note that only the Lightning is available to enter until 11:45pm 10/1/25). Payment should be made by online banking to 02-0168-0091321-003 (account name is Borovski Trust – ignore any warnings about “partial match” with the name) with the player’s name and ‘Congress’ as the references. Alternatively, payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/nz-chess-congress-2025

Entry Fees

• NZ Championship $220 ($240 on or after 1 Dec)
• Major Open $150 ($170 on or after 1 Dec)
• NZ Rapid Championship $60
• NZ Lightning Championship $40
• NZ Junior and Age Group Championships $80
• NZ Junior Under 1000 Championships $80
• Banquet Dinner $70

Tournaments free for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs

Vega sites

• NZ Championship
• Major Open
• NZ Rapid Championship
• NZ Blitz Championship
• NZ Junior and Age Group Championships
• NZ U1000 Junior Championships

Tournament Regulations

• NZCF and FIDE Rating: Tournaments will be NZCF-rated and FIDE-rated where possible.
• Pairings and Rating-Based Prizes: FIDE ratings will be used for pairings and rating- based prizes where possible. Players without ratings may be assigned a rating by the Chief Arbiter. The most recently-published rating lists will be used (September or January for NZCF, January for FIDE).
• Pairings: Pairings will be done with the assistance of Vega. For standard tournaments, pairings will not be final i.e. published for the purposes of FIDE regulations until 30 minutes before the round start time.
• Half-point Byes: Players may take 1 half-point bye in tournaments with standard time controls i.e. all events except for the NZ Rapid or Lightning Championships. Half-point byes may only be taken within the first 5 rounds. Additional byes or byes after round 5 in any tournament can be requested but will be 0-point byes.
• NZ Player: Per NZCF regulations, NZ citizen or a player who is normally resident in New Zealand and has been resident in New Zealand for at least one year prior to Congress.
• Multiple Prizes and Tiebreaks: Players may not win more than one cash prize in a tournament – the highest cash prize will be paid and other prizes will be passed down to the next highest-placed player. Titles and cash prizes will be shared by eligible players on the same score and ties will not be broken.
• Players Meetings: Players meetings will be held for all tournaments 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the first round as noted in the individual tournament timetables. Players who do not attend the players meeting for a tournament may be excluded from the first round of that tournament.
• Defaults: Default time is 30 minutes after the start of the round.
• Appeals: A player may appeal against a decision of the Arbiter in a tournament other than the NZ Lightning Championship (no appeals allowed). Appeals Committees for each tournament will be appointed by the Organisers from the players. Appeals must be lodged in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the game (10 minutes for the NZ Rapid Championship). A fee of $100 will apply, to be refunded if the appeal is successful or otherwise at the discretion of the Appeals Committee.
• Fair Play Measures: In alignment with the recommendations put forth by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), we are committed to reinforcing the protection mechanisms of fair play for the upcoming New Zealand Congress 2025. The integrity of the game is paramount, and these enhanced measures are designed to ensure a level playing field for all participants.Primary Measures

  Prohibition of Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices

  During a game, players are forbidden to have a mobile phone, electronic means of communication or any device capable of suggesting chess moves in the playing venue. Storage facilities will be available for such devices which should still be switched off.  This includes smart watches but not standard analogue or digital watches.

  This measure is essential to prevent any potential use of unauthorized assistance during the games.

  Introduction of Scanners

  Players are subject to random scanning for electronic devices by an arbiter using a handheld electronic scanner whilst in the playing venue or on entering or leaving the playing venue.

  This will aid in ensuring that no prohibited items are brought in and that the security of the venue is maintained.

  Strict Penalties for Violations

  Any violation of the Fair Play Measures will result in an immediate loss for the offending player.

  In cases where cheating is suspected, the entire game result will be annulled, and the matter will be reported to FIDE for a thorough investigation.

  Installation of Cameras

  Cameras will be strategically placed throughout the tournament venue. This will help in monitoring and recording the games, thereby deterring any attempts at cheating and providing evidence if required.

  Anyone entering the playing venue is deemed to have given the organisers consent to be filmed.

  Searches

  Furthermore, the arbiter may require a player to allow his/her clothes, bags, other items or body to be inspected, in private. The arbiter or person authorised by the arbiter shall inspect the player, and shall be of the same gender as the player. If a player refuses to cooperate with these obligations, the arbiter shall take measures in accordance with Article 12.9. of the FIDE Laws of Chess.

  By implementing these measures, we aim to uphold the highest standards of fair play and sportsmanship at the New Zealand Congress. We appreciate the cooperation of all participants in adhering to these protocols, as they are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the competition.

• Photos: Spectators may take photos during the first 5 minutes of a round.
• Covid-19: If Congress is cancelled due to Covid-19, entry fees will be refunded. Organisers will not be responsible for any further compensation to affected players.