23 January 2026, Issue 1294
Making moves The Mount Maunganui RSA Chess Club is celebrating 20 years of its oneday national chess tournament, with young players like Pāpāmoa 11-year-old Tom Docker preparing to take on older competitors from across the North Island. The Bay of Plenty Rapid Chess
Tournament will be held on February 28 at the Arataki Bible Chapel and is expected to attract about 50 players, from school students to seasoned veterans. Docker, pictured, is returning after playing in the tournament for the first time last year. He has been playing chess
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for three years and has already logged about 1500 games, mostly online. “I really liked it,” Docker said. “Chess makes you use your brain to solve problems and recognise patterns. I’ve improved a lot, and I think I’ll do much better this time.”
Tournament organiser Caleb Wright said the event is nationally significant, having introduced a rapid-chess time control category now used across New Zealand. The tournament runs from 9am to 5.30pm and spectators are welcome. Read more on page 15. Photo / Jo Jones
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