The only thing that has ever stopped the Bay of Plenty Rapid chess tournament happening in the last 16 years has been arson. This year things are back on board – starting tomorrow.
'Last year there was an arson at the Masonic Centre venue so that's the only thing that's stopped us,” says tournament organiser Caleb Wright of Mount Maunganui RSA Chess Club.
Caleb says the effects of the 2021 fire were 'pretty serious”. 'It literally gutted all the inside [of the venue]. It was a huge job [to fix the damage] and we're fortunate that they just finished it in time for this year.”
And so the Bay of Plenty Rapid – one of the most popular rapid chess events up and down Aotearoa each February – is back for its 17th round this Saturday, February 25.
Caleb says chess players will travel from around New Zealand to enjoy their craft and for some glory on the board.
He has played since 1988 and will compete in the tournament's A grade. 'To be a good player you've got to have some patience, calculation, strategy, and you've got to use common sense as well. You can take some risks but not be too reckless.”
Quick game
The longest game of chess Caleb has played was a whooping six hours. 'A decent game of chess will be at least four to five hours normally.”
This weekend's tournament is all about rapid chess however. Caleb and his club were the first to introduce the 25 minutes plus five-seconds-per-move increment rapid time control game format.
'It stopped people trying to run opponents out of time. That just happens sometimes and there were disputes and so on.” This style of play is now used throughout the country in rapid chess!
Only arson
Holding the tournament every year since 2006, The BOP Rapid has always managed to escape Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns – and Caleb has his poker face ready for Saturday.
'The more serious you get, the more you have to show as little emotion as you can, otherwise your body language tends to give away emotion to your opponent and whether they'll get confidence or not.”
There will be a total of $1440 in prize money to be won across the grades – A, B and C.
The tournament is at the Bay of Plenty Masonic Centre, 33 Hairini St, Hairini, starting 9.15am on Saturday, February 25.
If you know how to play, rock up before 9am for a last-minute sign-up and join the chess action!
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