Anticipation is soaring this year, with a projected participation of up to 150 players, which is the maximum capacity.
Event organiser Lasse Pedersen said the vision is to create a fun, inclusive, and family-friendly event that not only captivates locals, but players from across Northland.
Pedersen said from Mangawhai to Kaitāia, active chess clubs are rallying to ensure this annual gathering serves as a cornerstone for their year-round success.
“This championship isn’t just about pitting mind against mind, it’s about bringing communities together. From sprightly 6-year-olds to seasoned veterans in their 80s, participants from all walks of life will convene, united by the love for a simple board game that has the power to inspire, instil confidence, and provide an unparalleled tournament experience for both players and spectators,” she said.
Under the watchful eyes of seasoned chess arbiters, players will be sorted into three age categories: Junior, Youth, and Seniors.
They’ll navigate a fierce six-round Swiss-style tournament, each round meticulously timed, starting at 10am and finishing around 5pm. For an added thrill, select games will be projected onto a spectator screen.
Registration for playing in the tournament is still open with some spaces left. Register on website: https://sites.google.com/view/kerikerichessclub/home
Gambit:
One of the fancier terms of chess, a ‘gambit’ is a technical move that a player engages in to gain the upper hand over the opponent. A ‘gambit’ involves sacrificing one or more minor chess pieces to lead an attacking onslaught on the rival’s king.
Generally, when a chess game reaches a point when it starts to get stagnant, chess players resort to gambits to bring new life back to the game and make new openings for furthering an attack on the rival.
Bad Bishop:
A ‘bad bishop’ is a piece of a bishop whose movement has been blocked by a friendly pawn. This dramatically limits the bishop’s chances of participating in the field of action, thus hindering the player’s options.
Howler:
A ‘howler’ is often used instead of a chess blunder. Both a howler and a blunder mean almost the same thing, which is a significant tactical error on the part of one chess player that proves very costly in the course of the game.
Chess first appeared in India about the 6th century CE. By the 10th century it had spread from Asia to the Middle East and Europe.