Queenstown Chess Classic About the Tournament Dates and Round Times Prizefund Entry Form and How to Enter Conditions for masters/grandmasters Contact Us Tournament Venue New Zealand Rapidplay and Lightning Queenstown Junior Chess Classic Tournament Regulations Combining the chess with a holiday Travel to New Zealand from abroad About Queenstown and New Zealand Accommodation and car hire in Queenstown Queenstown 2006 Calendar of NZ chess events

DATES AND ROUND TIMES

The Queenstown Chess Classic (incorporating the 2009 New Zealand Chess Championships) is a 10-round FIDE (World Chess Federation) rated tournament. FIDE title norms are possible, depending on the standard of opposition met. The tournament will be played from 15th-24th January 2009 at the Millennium Hotel, Queenstown's premiere events venue.

The New Zealand Rapidplay and Lightning Championships will take place on 25-26 January 2009. These are also open to all players.

The Queenstown Junior Chess Classic will take place on 18-21 January 2009.

All QCC games start at 3pm. One game per day.

Time Control: 100 minutes each player + 1 minute increment for each move played. This is a generous time control (equivalent to 2 hours 20 minutes for the first 40 moves) and conducive to top quality chess.

ROUND 1 - Thursday 15th January
ROUND 2 - Friday 16th January
ROUND 3 - Saturday 17th January
ROUND 4 - Sunday 18th January
ROUND 5 - Monday 19th January
ROUND 6 - Tuesday 20th January
ROUND 7 - Wednesday 21st January
ROUND 8 - Thursday 22nd January
ROUND 9 - Friday 23rd January
ROUND 10 - Saturday 24th January (Prize-giving 9.30 pm)

New Zealand Rapidplay - Sunday 25th and Monday 26th January
New Zealand Lightning - Monday 26th January

Queenstown Chess Classic Registration: 14th January, 6-8 pm at the tournament hall. All players who have arrived in Queenstown are asked to register at the tournament hall at this time.

Half-point byes in the Queenstown Chess Classic:
To give flexibility to chess enthusiasts combining the tournament with a holiday:
(a) Players eligible for the New Zealand Closed Championship may elect to take one half point bye, to be taken no later than round seven.
(b) Overseas players may elect to take up to two half point byes, to be taken no later than round seven.
Anyone taking a half point bye must advise the arbiter prior to the round starting the previous day.

Some past winners of the New Zealand Chess Championships, including Bob Wade OBE (winner in 1943/44, 1944/45, and 1947/48).