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By Tournament Organiser FM Bob Smith Grandmaster Murray Chandler has chosen Weiyang Yu’s win over Leo Baker as the best game of the recent 46th Trusts Chess Open. 14-year-old Weiyang has a habit of picking up best game prizes; she also won this prize at the New Zealand Women’s Championships in 2022. Her winning effort this year follows, with Murray’s comments. “YU v BAKER, French Defence, 1-0 (31 moves) Early on White speculatively sacrifices her d-pawn for open lines and

The team along with NZCF President Nigel Metge and Vice-President Paul Spiller A team of 5 is off to Krakow, Poland to play in the World Seniors Teams event from 1 to 12 July this year. FM Bob Gibbons, Grant Kerr, Anthony Booth, Nigel Cooper and Thomas Beier will be representing NZL and we wish them every success. Follow them on Facebook – we will try and get results and updates posted there regularly. Nigel Cooper at the 1962/3 NZ

Dear Chess players! We are saddened to learn of the sudden deaths of well-known chess players Peter Weir (b.1952) of Auckland and Bruce Gloistein (b.1938) of Otago. Chess players everywhere express their condolences to their families. Obituaries will follow but we have been advised that Peter’s funeral will be:St George’s Presbyterian Church, 2 The Terrace, Auckland; Tuesday 25th June 12.30pm On a personal note, I first met Peter in 1970 when we shared a room at Congress in Nelson that

A wonderful opportunity has arisen for NZL players to join International Master Herman van Riemsdijk for 4 online chess lessons for just $20. The NZCF will be subsidising the balance of the costs! Starts this Sunday the 19th of May. Full schedule: The sessions will be on Zoom. Course Outline Aimed at club players – 1200 to 1800 rated Topics will include tactics, elementary endgames and zugzwang Registration Spaces are limited so please get your registration in asap – email

It is my very sad duty to announce the passing of Anton Reid on Saturday 4th May 2024. A doyen of Upper Hutt Chess Club and a Life Member of Upper Hutt Chess Club and the New Zealand Chess Federation (NZCF), Anton joined the Upper Hutt Chess Club in 1962.  He has remained a continuous member since for over 60 years, serving as Club Captain for 25 years, Treasurer for a further 19 years and a Committee member for many

The New Zealand Chess Federation will now be paying all FIDE title and licence fees on behalf of all NZL players, arbiters, trainers and organizers. Historically, the NZCF has invoiced individuals or clubs for these charges, but will now absorb the costs on your behalf. This initiative will be backdated to any FIDE title and licence fees charged to the NZCF by FIDE after 1 July 2023, So, if you have not received an invoice for a recently awarded title,

The Bledisloe and Blackburn Cup interclub competitions are set to be revived. 2024 sees the re-introduction of these competitions – The Bledisloe Cup for teams from the major metropolitan areas and the Blackburn Cup for those clubs outside the major metropolitan areas. The 2024 edition will be run as a hybrid chess event. All clubs have been emailed details, so chat to your club captain, committee members etc. for more info about your club’s possible participation. More info here: Bledisloe

In December 2023, FIDE announced a new tiered system for organizers. There are now 3 official organizer titles: The 1st of these, the FIDE Associate Organizer, can be awarded to those who have organized at least 5 FIDE rated competitions (standard time control) and who have at least 3 years chess organizing experience. Applications are done via your national chess federation. If you are an organizer who meets these requirements, and are not yet an IO under the old system,