20th Bay of Plenty Rapid 2026
- Published

Table of Contents
20th Bay of Plenty Rapid 2026
20th BoP Rapid 2026 is to be held on Saturday 28th February 2026. The Bay of Plenty Rapid (BoP Rapid) that is held on the last Saturday of February annually is one of most popular weekend rapids in the country.
The 20th BoP Rapid 2026 continues the first and now ubiquitous throughout New Zealand, 25 minutes plus 5 seconds increment rapid time control chess tournament made possible by digital clocks.
Chess players who can remember the bad old days will know that this rapid time control introduced by the BoP Rapid had practically eliminated the chaos, confusion and injustice of guillotine finishes. We look forward to the 20th edition of the BoP Rapid continuing this pleasant tournament tradition.
Get your entry in and enjoy playing chess in a pleasant tournament at one of the most beautiful regions in the country.
Results
Prizewinners
Prizewinners would be listed here.
Vega Webpage View
Link to Vega Webpages. (when available)
Live Game Broadcast
Link to broadcast of live games. (when available)
Photos available from
(when available)
Entry Details
Entry Fees
- $TBA per player ‘A’ tournament
- $TBA per player ‘B’ tournament.
Entry Instructions
No entries accepted on day of play. Payment not received / not shown = Not Entered.
$15 per player Late Fee if payment not received / not shown by 12pm Thursday 26th February 2026.
Club account for payment: BNZ 02-0372-0029728-000 (state name & tournament choice).
Use online entry form to enter by clicking button below:
Name of player entered would be listed in Vega Results. Link also available in Results section of this webpage.
Please contact us if name is not listed more than a day after submission.
New Zealand chess players who participate in more than one NZCF rated event in a year must be a member of a chess club that is affiliated or associated with NZCF (New Zealand Chess Federation). The Mount Maunganui RSA Chess Club offers memberships that fulfill this requirement from just $15.
Event Information
Summarised information available in printable PDF brochure. (when available)
Dates
Saturday 28th February 2026
Venue

(Tentatively) Bible Chapel
corner Bedford Place and Monowai Street, Arataki, near Mount Maunganui.
Travel Arrangements
Eligibility
Open to all players.
Non-NZL players must have FIDE ID issued by their chess federation.
NZL players without FIDE ID must provide full Date of Birth.
Format
Two separate 6 round Swiss tournaments, FIDE and NZCF rated where possible.
‘A’ tournament for players rated 1600 and above.
‘B’ tournament for players rated below 1600.
The organisers reserve the right to shift a player to a different tournament if they feel an inappropriate one has been entered.
Time Controls
Rapid:
25 minutes each player plus 5 seconds increment per move from move one.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided at no charge throughout the tournament.
Schedule
Start Time | Day & Date | |
---|---|---|
Players meeting | 9.15am | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Round 1 | 9.30am | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Round 2 | 10.45am | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Round 3 | 12pm | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Lunch break | 1pm | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Round 4 | 2pm | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Round 5 | 3.15pm | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Round 6 | 4.30pm | Saturday 28th February 2026 |
Prize giving as soon as possible after last game completed.
Prize Fund
To be confirmed. Envisaged to be:
A | B | |
---|---|---|
1st | $250 | $200 |
2nd | $200 | $150 |
3rd | $150 | $120 |
Grade prize | $75 | $120 |
Grade prize | $80 |
The ‘A’ tournament winner will hold the BOP Rapid trophy until the next BOP Rapid. The local player with the best result in the same tournament receives the best local player trophy until the next BOP Rapid.
PLEASE NOTE: No player may claim more than one monetary prize. In the event of a tie, prize money will be shared.
Where available, grade prizes awarded in bands, eg. Player eligible for grade two prize cannot win grade one prize.
Players eligible for open or grade prize would receive the highest monetary value prize.
Personnel
(The local chess club)