New Zealand Open

As far as Chess Centres go, it must be one of the quaintest around – a 1916 Church, and adjacent Church Hall. Last March, while on the FIDE election campaign trail, GM Nigel Short played a simul to open the New Zealand National Chess Centre - and now it is the venue for the 2015 New Zealand Open Championship. There are four Grandmasters playing – and a fifth one organising. A pictorial report from Devonport, Auckland, with comments by GM and chess philanthropist Murray Chandler.

Sometimes in life, as in chess, we do impulsive things. In late 2013 I was a bit bored, so I bought a Church. Unfortunately, unlike in chess, Fritz is refusing to tell me whether this was a good move or not.

Having said “A” you have to say “B” (apparently a Russian proverb). So next step? Set up a chess centre of course.

Inveterate globe-trotter Nigel Short popped by to give simul last March, getting the centre off to a wonderful start.

Young and old flocked in to take on the famous grandmaster.

The local Member of Parliament Maggie Barry was there to welcome everyone with an amusing speech. She is already ‘world famous in New Zealand’ for having presented a TV gardening show for many years.

There is a chess connection too. Maggie’s partner Grant Kerr (pictured here playing Nigel) is a former New Zealand International and Olympiad player.

For the Championship, starting 1st January, half a dozen well-known overseas players were invited, with some kind assistance from the NZCF (New Zealand Chess Federation). Here is Danish GM Allan Stig Rasmussen at a pre-tournament barbeque for the overseas guests. On the right is me,  trying to remember how the pieces move.

Devonport boasts wonderful water views over the harbour to the Auckland CBD. Here Alexandra Jule and Darcy Mendoza play a friendly on New Year’s Eve. They are with the Gardiner Chess group coming from Queensland, Australia.

Perhaps next year this inspiring setting should be board 1 for the tournament. Our old friend IM Herman van Riemsdijk (Brazil) is playing Layla Timergazi, one of New Zealand’s brightest junior prospects. The red blossoms to the left are on a Pohutukawa - the “New Zealand Christmas Tree”.

Onto the main event. Wow, our own banner across the main street. Thanks to the Devonport Business Association. 

Play kicks off, in the biggest of three playing areas in the Church Hall. 115 players from 15 different countries. Hopefully the playing conditions are ok; it’s our first big chess event at the venue.

Top seed – by a margin of 144 rating points – is English Grandmaster David Howell, rated 2670. If you are paired against him you may wish to nip next door for a quick prayer.

What’s this super-cool strategy? Local Auckland Chess Centre player Nathan Goodhue, black against a German Grandmaster, has not appeared 15 minutes after start time…

Stuck in traffic! We are tolerant in New Zealand – 1 hour default time, like the good old days.

Round 3 and the pairings get tougher. Fedja Zulfic (Australia) faces Grandmaster and third seed Zhao Xue from China.

Post-mortems are naturally held in the Church building across the courtyard.

Matthew Drummond (Australia) and Helen Milligan (ex-Scotland, now NZ) go over their draw.

The New Zealand Championship has a history dating back to 1879. The famous Silver Rook (as pictured) is still around, and the top NZ player in our tournament will have their name engraved on it.

Popular IM Irene Sukandar has a fan club even in faraway Auckland. This Indonesian enthusiast has popped in for a look.  

And some free tips for Boy Reinhard Gunawan after his game, another Indonesian player living locally.

Arbiters and NZCF officials enjoy the summer sunshine during round one. The New Zealand seasons are the opposite of Europe, so January is a perfect time of year to visit. Hopefully we may see some of you readers next year.

Standings

Pos	T	NAME	Rtg	PRtg	Fed	Pts
1	GM	Zhao, Xue	2514	2811		3.0
2	GM	Bischoff, Klaus	2490	2822		3.0
3	IM	Sukandar, Irine Kharisma	2392	2881		3.0
4	IM	DIVE, Russell J	2441	2852		3.0
5	GM	Howell, David W L	2670	2132		3.0
6	IM	KER, Anthony F	2435	2824		3.0
7	--	Zelesco, Karl	2210	2363		2.5
8	GM	Rasmussen, Allan Stig	2526	2298		2.5
9	FM	HAGUE, Ben	2462	2376		2.5
10	FM	CROAD, Nicholas	2366	2317		2.5
11	FM	Le Roy, Brice	2290	2441		2.5
12	IM	GARBETT, Paul A	2355	2376		2.5
13	FM	SMITH, Robert W	2367	2348		2.5
14	--	GAO, Hans	2293	2344		2.5
15	--	MCNABB, Matthew D	2100	2205		2.5
16	FM	Reilly, Tim	2238	2240		2.5
17	--	Drummond, Matthew	2231	2255		2.5
18	IM	Van Riemsdijk, Herman C.	2356	2222		2.5
19	FM	STEADMAN, Michael V R	2311	2330		2.5
20	--	KRSTEV, Antonio	2071	2207		2.5

Replay Rounds 1-3

Select games from the dropdown menu above the board

Links Official tournament site The games will be broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.