Bob Wade Memorial Masters – IM/GM norm event – 15 to 21 January 2026

December 22, 2025 NZCFadmin

Organiser Paul Spiller, with support from FIDE’s Planning and Development Commission (PDC) and the Middle Game Chess Foundation is holding a series of five round robin chess tournaments at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre in Auckland from 15 to 21 January 2026. These events are being held in celebration of both Bob Wade and other New Zealand chess figures.

The events are:

The Bob Wade Memorial Masters
The Hilton Bennett Memorial Masters
The Arthur Pomeroy Memorial Masters
The Peter Weir Memorial Masters
The Middle Game Chess Foundation Challengers

Robert Graham Wade OBE (1921-2008) was one of the most influential figures in New Zealand and British chess history. Born in Dunedin, he went on win three New Zealand Chess Championships and after relocating to the UK in 1950, he won two British Championships. He also competed in seven Chess Olympiads. He was awarded the International Master playing title in 1950.He was also an accomplished chess official, and organizer, becoming an International Arbiter in 1958.Bob also authored a number of chess books and articles and was the editor of Batsford Books for some time. He also famously assisted Bobby Fischer with his preparation for the 1972 world championship match against Boris Spassky. His contribution as a coach and mentor to many young chess players is perhaps his greatest legacy.

RG Wade – Photo Credit – British Chess News

Bob Wade Memorial Masters Trophy – Photo Credit – Richie Christie

In 2021, the Howick-Pakuranga Chess Club, and in particular Paul Spiller MNZM, held the inaugural Bob Wade Memorial Masters in Auckland, New Zealand. The event was an open Swiss, won by GM Gawain Jones from England.

Two further events were held – 2023 (won by GM Samy Shoker) and 2025 (won by GM Zong-Yuan Zhao and GM Gabor Nagy). These events consisted of three 10 player Round Robins (all play all) with the premier event being the Bob Wade Memorial Masters. This premier event has also offered players the chance to earn International Master norms (which are a part of the requirements for being awarded the International Master title).

The Bob Wade Memorial Masters is the flagship event and both GM and IM norms are possible. A rarity indeed for a New Zealand tournament!

The field for the 2026 Bob Wade Memorial Masters is an incredible lineup of 5 Grandmasters, 3 International Masters, 1 IM-elect and 1 FIDE Master, headlined by England’s GM Michael Adams.

Mickey Adams is regarded as one of the strongest British chess players in history.

His peak FIDE rating of 2761 in 2013 is the highest ever by a British player and he has been ranked as high as number 4 in the world.

He reached the semi-finals of the FIDE World Chess Championship in 1997, 1999 and 2000 and was a finalist in 2004.

Currently rated 2646, Adams has won 9 British Chess Championships, most recently earlier this year.

He also won the 2023 World Seniors Chess Championships (50+) and has represented England at 13 Chess Olympiads.

This is his first visit to New Zealand.