128th NZ Chess Congress 2021
- Published
Table of Contents
128th NZ Chess Congress 2021
Saturday 2nd to Tuesday 12th January 2021.

Events
- NZ Junior Championship, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- Manawatu Open, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- NZ Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- NZ Major Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, 9th to 10th January 2021.
- Banquet and Prizegiving, 10th January 2021.
- NZ Lightning Championship, 11th January 2021.
- NZ Rapid Championship, 11th to 12th January 2021.
Entry Details
Entry Fees
Before | Before | On or After | |
---|---|---|---|
1 Nov 2020 | 20 Dec 2020 | 20 Dec 2020 | |
NZ Junior | $70 | $85 | $100 |
Manawatu Open | $50 | $60 | $75 |
NZ Open | $180 | $225 | $250 |
NZ Major | $100 | $175 | $200 |
Manawatu 128 Novelty | $30 | $30 | $30 |
Banquet | $35 | $35 | $35 |
NZ Lightning | $35 | $35 | $35 |
NZ Rapid | $60 | $60 | $60 |
NZ Open only,
- Add $100 for players rated under 2000 FIDE or NZCF.
- Add $150 for unrated players.
Entry Instructions
Club account for payment: 01-0530-0038807-01 (state name as reference).
Cheque payments, make cheque to “MANAWATU KNIGHTS CHESS CLUB”.
Foreign payments by bank transfer
- Bank: ANZ Bank
- SWIFT code: ANZBNZ 22
- Account name: MANAWATU KNIGHTS CHESS CLUB
- Account number: 01 0530 0038807 01
- Entries after 1st January 2021 are considered to be late.
- Acceptance of late entries at organiser discretion.
- No entry will be confirmed until payment is received.
Use online entry form to enter.
Accommodation is available at the venue. Facilities include free off-street car parks, free internet, onsite restaurant, bar, and gymnasium. Early booking is highly recommended.
Rooms: Twin (2x single beds) $110 per night including continental breakfast for two. Use conference code: NZCHESS21
Book through the hotel’s website or phone +64 6 3568059
Event Information
Official information available in printable PDF entry form.
COVID-19 and NZCF Congress

Unfortunately sporting events have had to operate under uncertain conditions during 2020. NZCF will do everything possible to ensure the event proceeds. However should Government restrictions make it impossible to run a safe & viable tournament, NZCF does reserve the right to cancel.
Should entry numbers be seriously reduced due to the impact of Covid-19, the organisers in conjunction with NZCF may elect to incorporate the Major Open within the main Championship. In that case the prizefund of the combined event shall be $5000 configured as follows: 1st $1600, 2nd $1200, 3rd $600, 4th $300, Under 2100 $600, Under 1900 $300, Under 1700 $200, Under 1400 $200.
Dates
Saturday 2nd to Tuesday 12th January 2021.
- NZ Junior Championship, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- Manawatu Open, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- NZ Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- NZ Major Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, 9th to 10th January 2021.
- Banquet and Prizegiving, 10th January 2021.
- NZ Lightning Championship, 11th January 2021.
- NZ Rapid Championship, 11th to 12th January 2021.
Venue

110 Fitzherbert Avenue, Palmerston North.
Eligibility
- NZ Junior Championship, players must be aged under 20 years before 1st January 2021.
- Manawatu Open, players must be aged over 20 years by 1st January 2021.
- NZ Open Championship, open to all players.
- NZ Major Open Championship, players must be rated under 2100.
- Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, open to all players.
- Banquet and Prizegiving, open to all players and accompanying persons.
- NZ Lightning Championship, open to all players.
- NZ Rapid Championship, open to all players.
Non-NZL players must have FIDE ID issued by their chess federation for events that are FIDE rated.
NZL players without FIDE ID must provide full Date of Birth.
Format
- NZ Junior Championship, 7 round swiss, NZCF and FIDE rated.
- Manawatu Open, 7 round swiss, NZCF rated.
- NZ Open Championship, 9 round swiss, NZCF and FIDE rated.
- NZ Major Open Championship, 9 round swiss, NZCF and FIDE rated.
- Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, 7 round swiss playing both colours against same opponent, not rated.
- Banquet is a buffet followed by Prizegiving.
- NZ Lightning Championship, 9 round swiss, not rated.
- NZ Rapid Championship, 9 round swiss, NZCF and FIDE rated.
Time Controls
- NZ Junior Championship, 1 hour per player plus 10 seconds increment per move starting from move 1.
- Manawatu Open, 1 hour per player plus 10 seconds increment per move starting from move 1.
- NZ Open Championship, 90 minutes per player plus 30 minutes at move 40, with 30 seconds increment per move added from move 1.
- NZ Major Open Championship, 90 minutes per player plus 30 minutes at move 40, with 30 seconds increment per move added from move 1.
- Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, 20 Minutes per player with 5 second increments per move starting from move 1.
- Banquet and Prizegiving, 90 minutes for banquet followed by prizegiving.
- NZ Lightning Championship, 3 minutes per per player plus 2 seconds increment per move starting from move 1.
- NZ Rapid Championship, 25 minutes per player plus 5 seconds increment per move starting from move 1.
Schedule
Event | Start Time | Date |
---|---|---|
NZ Junior Players Meeting | 8.30am | 2 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open Players Meeting | 8.30am | 2 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 1 | 9am | 2 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 1 | 9am | 2 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open Players Meeting | 1.30pm | 2 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major Players Meeting | 1.30pm | 2 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 1 | 2pm | 2 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 1 | 2pm | 2 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 2 | 9am | 3 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 2 | 9am | 3 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 2 | 2pm | 3 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 2 | 2pm | 3 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 3 | 9am | 4 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 3 | 9am | 4 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 3 | 2pm | 4 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 3 | 2pm | 4 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 4 | 9am | 5 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 4 | 9am | 5 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 4 | 2pm | 5 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 4 | 2pm | 5 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 5 | 9am | 6 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 5 | 9am | 6 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 5 | 2pm | 6 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 5 | 2pm | 6 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 6 | 9am | 7 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 6 | 9am | 7 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 6 | 2pm | 7 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 6 | 2pm | 7 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior round 7 | 9am | 8 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open round 7 | 9am | 8 Jan 2021 |
NZ Junior prizegiving | 12pm | 8 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu Open prizegiving | 12pm | 8 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 7 | 2pm | 8 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 7 | 2pm | 8 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu 128 Novelty Players Meeting | 8.30am | 9 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu 128 Novelty rounds 1 to 4 | 9am | 9 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 8 | 2pm | 9 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 8 | 2pm | 9 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu 128 Novelty rounds 5 to 7 | 9am | 10 Jan 2021 |
Manawatu 128 Novelty prizegiving | 9am | 10 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open round 9 | 2pm | 10 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major round 9 | 2pm | 10 Jan 2021 |
Banquet | 6.30pm | 10 Jan 2021 |
NZ Open prizegiving | 8pm | 10 Jan 2021 |
NZ Major prizegiving | 8pm | 10 Jan 2021 |
NZ Lightning Players Meeting | 8.45am | 11 Jan 2021 |
NZ Lightning rounds 1 to 9 | 9am | 11 Jan 2021 |
NZ Lightning prizegiving | 11.30am | 11 Jan 2021 |
NZ Rapid Players Meeting | 11.45am | 11 Jan 2021 |
NZ Rapid rounds 1 to 4 | 12pm | 11 Jan 2021 |
NZ Rapid rounds 5 to 9 | 9am | 12 Jan 2021 |
NZ Rapid prizegiving | 4.30pm | 12 Jan 2021 |
Prize Fund
NZ Junior | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $200 |
2nd | $150 |
3rd | $100 |
Top NZ player | Trophy |
NZ under 14 | $50 + certificate |
NZ under 12 | $50 + certificate |
NZ under 10 | $50 + certificate |
NZ under 8 | $50 + certificate |
NZ Junior Championship, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
- Foreign players are not eligible to win titles or age group prizes.
- Each age group requires a minimum of 4 players.
Manawatu Open | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $300 |
2nd | $200 |
3rd | $100 |
Manawatu Open, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- Requires minimum 12 players.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
Manawatu 128 Novelty | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $150 |
2nd | $100 |
3rd | $50 |
Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, 9th to 10th January 2021.
- Requires minimum 10 players.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
NZ Open | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $1600 |
2nd | $1200 |
3rd | $700 |
4th | $500 |
5th | $400 |
6th | $300 |
Under 2000 | $300 |
NZ Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
- Tiebreaks apply to the NZ Open title.
- Only NZ players are eligible for New Zealand Champion title that can be shared, with winners having their names engraved on the Hookham “Silver Rook” trophy.
NZ Major | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $1600 |
2nd | $1200 |
3rd | $700 |
Under 1700 | $500 |
Under 1400 | $400 |
NZ Major Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
- Only NZ players are eligible for New Zealand Major Open Champion title that can be shared, with winners having their names engraved on the trophy.
NZ Lightning | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $250 |
2nd | $150 |
3rd | $100 |
Under 2000 | $50 |
Under 1700 | $50 |
Under 1400 | $50 |
NZ Lightning Championship, 11th January 2021.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
- Tiebreaks apply to the NZ Open Lightning Champion title.
- Only NZ players are eligible for New Zealand Lightning Champion title that can be shared, with winners having their names engraved on the trophy.
NZ Rapid | Prize |
---|---|
1st | $500 |
2nd | $200 |
3rd | $100 |
Under 2000 | $100 |
Under 1700 | $100 |
Under 1400 | $100 |
NZ Rapid Championship, 11th to 12th January 2021.
- Players on equal points share prize money.
- Players can win one cash prize only.
- Tiebreaks apply to the NZ Open Rapid Champion title.
- Only NZ players are eligible for New Zealand Rapid Champion title that can be shared, with winners having their names engraved on the trophy.
Personnel
Organisers: Mark Noble and Jack James
Chief Arbiter: IA Craig Hall
Results
Vega Webpage View
Link to Vega Results.
- NZ Junior Championship, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- Manawatu Open, 2nd to 8th January 2021.
- NZ Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- NZ Major Open Championship, 2nd to 10th January 2021.
- Manawatu 128 Novelty Championships, 9th to 10th January 2021.
- NZ Lightning Championship, 11th January 2021.
- NZ Rapid Championship, 11th to 12th January 2021.
Live Broadcast
Dion Charles is running 4 DGT Smart Boards that are broadcasting games at this Congress. Broadcast can be viewed on DGT Livechess Cloud.
Friendly Blitz match between Joint Under 12 Champions. Video and news report, “Pair of 11-year-olds take on the adults at NZ chess nationals“.
Photos available from
Discussion thread for 128th NZ Chess Congress 2021 in ChessChat.org forum.
Prizewinners
New Zealand Congress 2021 Prizewinners
Tournament | Position | Points | Player |
---|---|---|---|
NZ Junior | |||
Junior Champion School Pupils Champion Under 16 Champion | 1st | 6/7 | Josh Langford |
2nd | 5.5/7 | Xintong (Winston) Weng | |
Under 10 Champion | 3rd equal | 5/7 | Daqi Mao |
Schoolgirls Champion Joint Under 12 Champion (1st/2) Under 12 Girls Champion | 3rd equal | 5/7 | Isabelle Yixuan Ning |
Joint Under 12 Champion (2nd/2) | 3rd equal | 5/7 | Kendrick Botong Zhang |
3rd equal | 5/7 | Euan McDougall | |
Under 14 Champion | 3rd equal | 5/7 | Paul He |
3rd equal | 5/7 | Thomas van der Hoorn | |
Under 16 Girls Champion | 4/7 | WCM Nadia Braganza | |
Under 10 Girls Champion | 3.5/7 | Tracy Tang | |
Under 8 Champion | 3/7 | Sai Vivan Karthikeya Somaraju | |
Manawatu Open | |||
1st | 6/7 | FM Ben Hague | |
2nd | 5/7 | Hao Tang | |
3rd | 4.5/7 | Dion Charles | |
Manawatu 128 Novelty | |||
1st | 11/12 | FM Ben Hague | |
2nd | 10/12 | Ryan Winter | |
3rd | 8/12 | Emily Gan | |
NZ Open | |||
NZ Chess Champion | 1st | 7.5/9 | FM Nicholas Croad |
2nd | 6.5/9 | FM Ben Hague | |
3rd equal | 6/9 | Felix Xie | |
3rd equal | 6/9 | IM Anthony F Ker | |
3rd equal | 6/9 | FM Leonard J McLaren | |
6th equal | 5.5/9 | FM Robert W Smith | |
6th equal | 5.5/9 | IM Russell J Dive | |
under 2000 | 5/9 | Hao Tang | |
NZ Major | |||
NZ Major Open Champion | 1st | 7/9 | Clinton A Wells |
2nd equal | 6.5/9 | Alan W Winfield | |
2nd equal | 6.5/9 | Dion Charles | |
2nd equal | 6.5/9 | Karl Holdo | |
under 1700 | 6/9 | Josh Langford | |
under 1400 | 5/9 | Jonathon Hookings | |
NZ Lightning | |||
NZ Lightning Champion | 1st | 8.5/9 | IM Anthony F Ker |
2nd | 7.5/9 | FM Ben Hague | |
3rd | 7/9 | IM Russell J Dive | |
under 2000 | 5/9 | J Nigel Metge | |
under 1700 equal | 6/9 | Daqi Mao | |
under 1700 equal | 6/9 | Xintong (Winston) Weng | |
under 1700 equal | 6/9 | Kendrick Botong Zhang | |
under 1400 | 5/9 | Baraa Zara | |
NZ Rapid | |||
NZ Rapid Champion | 1st | 8/9 | Felix Xie |
2nd | 7.5/9 | IM Russell J Dive | |
3rd | 7/9 | Ralph Hart | |
under 2000 | 6/9 | CM Hilton P Bennett | |
under 1700 equal | 6/9 | Hao Tang | |
under 1700 equal | 6/9 | Kendrick Botong Zhang | |
under 1400 | 5/9 | Zikun Kenneth Liu |