NZCF Online Chess School

NZCF Online Chess School

As part of its commitment to developing and promoting chess in New Zealand, the NZCF is now offering a new program of online chess lessons.

While a number of seminars have been held in recent years, the newly appointed Directors, Gordon Lyall and Richie Christie, are expanding this initiative and look forward to delivering high-quality training opportunities for players of all levels.

UPCOMING COURSES OR LESSONS

Enhance Your Chess Coaching

This two-lesson course is designed for chess trainers, coaches, and schoolteachers. It introduces key educational principles, shows how to apply them when preparing players for success in competitive chess, and concludes with practical advice on professional development.

Presented by FIDE Trainer Tony Dowden
Saturday 21 March 2026
Online (Zoom)
1pm – 3pm (NZT)
$20 per student (free for NZCF FIDE Instructors & Trainers)

Session covers:

Learn key educational principles
Apply them to chess training
Preparing players for competition
Practical advice on professional development

Tony Dowden:

Tony Dowden is a licensed FIDE Trainer, NZ Master, and Candidate Master who peaked at FIDE 2245. He represented New Zealand at two Olympiads and the Asian Teams Championship, and has been NZ Rapid Champion, South Island Champion, Tasmanian Champion, and Queensland Senior Champion. A former teacher and teacher educator with a doctorate in education, Tony is a highly experienced coach who now runs Next Level, supporting improving players rated 1200–1800.

Calculation Fundamentals – From Ideas to Moves (Feb/Mar 2026)

Strategy tells you what you want to do; calculation tells you whether you can do it.

Good calculation turns ideas into results.. It reduces blunders, improves decision-making in critical positions, strengthens both attack and defence, and allows players to convert advantages with confidence. Strong calculation replaces hope with certainty and is essential for accurate tactics, endgames, and overall improvement.

Join FIDE Instructor Ishan Wiratunga for a practical online course designed for player 1200-1600 who are keen to take their game to the next level.

Master key calculation concepts:

Learn a structured thinking process for evaluating moves
Strengthen visualisation and board awareness
Spot tactical triggers: checks, captures, threats
Efficiently eliminate weak lines to focus calculation
Manage time and energy during games
Apply calculation in endgames and defensive positions

Course details:

Saturday, February 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21 28, 2026
9:30 to 11am (NZT)
Online (Zoom)
$50 per student

Course Content:

Session 1: Foundations of Calculation
Introducing candidate moves, forcing‑move priority, and a simple, repeatable thinking structure.

Session 2: Visualisation Essentials
Board notations, strengthening short‑line visualisation, and clearly tracking pieces.

Session 3: Tactical Triggers & Forcing Moves
Recognising checks, captures, threats, and tactical cues to go deep.

Session 4: Eliminating Bad Lines
Quick methods to rule out weak or unrealistic variations and stay efficient.

Session 5: Time & Energy Management
How to use time effectively, avoid calculation fatigue, and focus on efficiency.

Session 6: Endgame & Defensive Calculation
Accurate calculation in simplified positions and identifying key defensive resources.

Ishan Wiratunga

Chess has been a long‑standing passion for Ishan, who has contributed as a player, coach, arbiter, and administrator across Sri Lanka, the UK, and New Zealand. A former Sri Lankan National finalist and the 2024 Maidenhead Club Champion, he moved to Auckland last year and continues to compete actively. Ishan has coached several juniors to 2000+ ratings and is known for helping children build confidence, develop solid skills, and maintain steady interest in chess while balancing their studies through clear, structured coaching.