Author: Timothy Ha

We want to give everybody a game on Mondays but some nights we are just 100% full like last Monday, all three rooms were packed like sardines in round 2 of the Summer Cup, and some people had to be turned away.

The club captain isn’t playing though so if you didn’t get a game, play with the captain outside (weather permitting). Please bring your own board just in case we run out of them, too 🙂

If you’re a junior player, please join the Saturday programme.

We’ll also start Auckland Chess Weekends in March for all ages. Stay tuned and follow our webpage and Facebook account.

A quick heads up to those who filled the registration form for ACC 2023 – Monday nights will resume after the Waitangi weekend, on the 13th of February. We will publish a detailed calendar for 2023 soon next week.

So far there is no change of plans to the Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi weekenders. Please use the contact email you received during registration if you have questions for organisers, not the usual ACC contacts.

Stay safe during the Auckland flood.

As announced previously at the club, Grandmaster Samy Shoker (FIDE 2491), one of the winners of the 2023 NZ Congress, will hold a 20-25 boards simul at the Auckland Chess Centre at 7 pm on Friday, the 20th of January.

Please come if you have registered before, and call 09 630 2042, if you want to join.

Please use the following registration form to register yourself or your child for 2023. This is a preliminary registration form.  The club captain will confirm your place.  Please don’t make any payments yet!

https://forms.gle/tykoNGs1xuz4Q3k78

The club will be open every Monday, from 13/2 to the week before Christmas, except public holidays, but without any gaps for school holidays. Whenever you know your travel plans or have long breaks from the chess club, please let us know. We also ask you to notify us on Mondays before 6:30 pm if you’re not coming. If you’re sick, please do not come and inform us about that, too. Thanks.

On Saturday the 14th of January, I learned of my good friend Ian McNally’s death. Ian and I had been friends for nearly forty years. Ian was an Auckland Chess Centre stalwart — he was twice Club President and served on the Club’s Committee in various roles innumerable times over the decades. He was also Club Champion in 1991. Over the years, Ian and I enjoyed many outrageous escapades in the chess world, particularly in Auckland Chess Association Blitz competitions. I shall miss him dearly. R.I.P. old friend.

Bruce Wheeler
Club President

Stay tuned for updates about 2023 club registration and full calendar. Thanks. And please follow the 130th Chess Congress via links on http://newzealandchess.co.nz/ — many of our players are there!

UPDATE: we have changed the opening date to the 13th of February. Thanks.

19th of December is the last club night of the year when we’ll do prizegiving, hold an AGM, eat pizza together, and do some fun chess.

All club members are welcome!

The club will resume on 30/01/2023, and registration will be open in mid-January.

The Spring Cup (only NZCF-rated, classical 75+30, six rounds) starts on Nov 7 and will finish on Dec 12.

The A- and B-grades have been divided. Some were promoted to A- from B-, and some were moved down to B, either based on recent performance or on their own request.

A-grade, https://www.aucklandchess.nz/vega/2022/wwwACCSpringCupA/playersname.html

B-grade, https://www.aucklandchess.nz/vega/2022/wwwACCSpringCupB/playersname.html

Please check your names. If you’re NOT playing in this tournament, please let us know immediately. If you cannot come on any Monday, please text the captain before 6:30 pm as usual.

Please note that our club has only 80 seats, so some new members may not get a game if everybody else shows up.

The last event of the 2022 Auckland Teams Arena (we’re back in 2023, too) will be held during the upcoming weekend, the 12th and 13th of November.

Register online here: https://newzealandchess.nz/auckland-teams-arena-november-2022/

The tournament is held as an individual Swiss with a team twist, where you can build teams and get team standings. Teammates are not paired against each other during the tournament. ATA is also the cheapest way to get FIDE-rated games under your belt, 20 NZD for six classical games in just two days of a normal weekend.

More details about the series: https://www.aucklandchess.nz/auckland-teams-arena/