The first round of the Queenstown Chess Classic started today with a record field of 192 players from 5 continents. 4 Grandmasters, 15 International Masters and 2 Women's International Masters are amongst those competing for a total prizefund of over $35,000. The tournament which continues for the next two weeks at the Millenium Hotel in Queenstown is the strongest international open ever held in New Zealand and doubles as the 119th New Zealand Championship.

For International Master Bob Wade the Queenstown Classic is a truly nostalgic tournament. 84 year old Wade who was born in Dunedin won the New Zealand Championship in 1948 shortly before he left for Europe. This week was his first return to New Zealand soil for 56 years. In the interim Wade has achieved worldwide recognition as an author of more than 30 chess books and has held the position of Chief Trainer of the English team for many years. Wade's influence on New Zealand chess continued after his departure. Having become New Zealand's first ever International Master in 1950, Wade met up with a young Estonian player Ortvin Sarapu while playing a tournament in Germany. Sarapu told Wade of his intention to emigrate to Australia and Wade persuaded him to choose New Zealand instead. This gave New Zealand its second International Master and Sarapu went on to win the New Zealand Championship more than twenty times. Despite winning his first round game Wade ranks his chances of winning another New Zealand Championship as slim - "I'm hoping to survive" was his comment.

Leading Results Round 1:

I Rogers   (AUS)   1 - 0   M Wojnar    (NZL)
S Stojic   (AUS)   0 - 1   M Chandler  (NZL)
D Sermek   (SLO)   1 - 0   B Nijman    (NZL)
M Sims     (NZL)   0 - 1   ZY Zhao     (AUS)
A Wohl     (AUS)   1 - 0   W Forster   (NZL)
S Oliver   (AUS)   0 - 1   G Lane      (AUS)
D Smerdon  (AUS)   1 - 0   C Benson    (NZL)
D Adair    (NZL)   0 - 1   S Solomon   (AUS)
T Civin    (CZE)   1 - 0   A Feldman   (AUS)
R McKerras (NZL)   0 - 1   HJ Hecht    (GER)
R Wade     (ENG)   1 - 0   S Ward      (NZL)

Opening Speeches. Left to Right: IM Zhao, GM Sermek, Chief Organiser Paul Spiller, Nijman.
Photo by Cathy Rogers.

Ceremonial first move made by Mayor of Queenstown, Clive Geddes, on board 1.
Left to Right: GM Chandler, IA Gibbons, GM Rogers, Mr Geddes, IO Spiller,
IA Bekker, Wojnar. Photo by Cathy Rogers.