Chessventures

I arrived back on Thursday after nearly 2 weeks away in Sri Lanka as an official New Zealand representitive at the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Waskaduwa.

My chess preparations were somewhat curtailed as I was invited to a number of meetings and functions with national chess federation presidents, Commonwealth chess officials and the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich!

Chesswise then, a little below my expectations, after losing to an Indian Grandmaster on Board 5 in Round 1 (I did last 3 hours!) I had 3 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws for the rest of the Classical event for a final score of 4/9.

I scored 3/7 in both the rapid and blitz chess events.

All in all, a good learning experience even for someone as experienced as I am and always nice to play new people and make new friends.

Aside from chess, managed to squeeze in a few tours - saw fruit bats, monitor lizards, held a baby crocodile (on my head!!) and a baby turtle in my hands. Visited 2 temples, some mask makers, a small tea plantation, a small rubber plantation, went to Independence Square in Colombo, accepted a commemorative clock in behalf of the New Zealand Chess federation at prizegiving and rode in a Tuk Tuk - and a few other things I am forgetting as I type I am sure!

Overall a fantastic experience, one I will never forget.

Plenty of photos, this is a selection.

February Rapid 2026

2 events were held on 22 February 2026 at XO Kids in Invercargill - the usual junior tournament, and for the first time, a tournament for adults/stronger juniors. Results: Junior: 1st Seth 2nd Andrei 3rd Samantha 1st Years 1-6 Nicholas & Lucas 1st Years 7 & 8 Vicky 1st Years 9-13 Seth Senior: 1st Phil Coleman 2nd Ashwin Gogate 3rd Gary McLean…...

February Rapid 2026 2 events were held on 22 February 2026 at XO Kids in Invercargill – the usual junior tournament, and for the first time, a tournament for adults/stronger juniors. Results: Junior: 1st Seth 2n…