Chess players from all over New Zealand will be gathering for a rapid chess tournament here in the bay.

Have you got what it takes to beat Mount Maunganui RSA Chess club top junior player Brian Liu?

If you think you do, organiser of the event Caleb Wright says the “Best way to enter is by visiting the Mount Maunganui RSA Chess club on Monday evenings whereby the event can be explained further as there are two graded divisions open to everyone.

The tournament is on Saturday 24 February at the Bible Chapel in Arataki.

“Players mainly come from the upper North Island but have ventured from further away at times for a day of challenge and good times.”

Caleb says they are expecting around forty to fifty players all up across both graded divisions in the tournament.

Prizes and trophies are all up for grabs on top of over $1100 total prize money to be won.

Anyone who knows the rules of chess and plays can enter the competition, says Caleb.

Brian is feeling confident going into the tournament that he’s got a shot at the title and a cash prize.

Brian Liu is feeling confident he has a chance to win. Photo: Ayla Yeoman.

Brian says he’s pretty good for a B grader and wants to tell his competitors “You better get ready.”

This is Brian’s second time competing in this tournament.

He competed last year and says now he is ready and knows what to expect.

Brian advices the other competitors, “Play openings that no one expects, it’s a really big advantage to confuse your opponents.”

Caleb says, “The Bay of Plenty Rapid Chess tournament is the local annual one day event open to all players consisting of six rounds of the faster timed games.

“At each game players have about half hour each on the clock to complete their games, the closest games lasting about an hour in total.”

Brian says, “There are six rounds and every time you win you get one point.

“If you draw you get 0.5 and if you lose you get no points.

“At the end they add up everyone’s points to see who’s on top,” he says.

The fast pace match is a thrill to watch. Photo: Ayla Yeoman.

Brian says, with everyone doing six rounds, the tournament goes for the whole day and he gets a bit tired by the last match.

Caleb says, anyone can come and watch, however audience members must ensure they turn their cell phones off and stay quiet during the games so players aren't disturbed.

“The games are very interesting, fast paced and exciting because there are time controls,” says Brian.

“The Mount Maunganui RSA Chess club holds this annual event in order to further challenge the players as an introduction to tournament play.”

So do you have what it takes to reach check-mate?