These will be held in Christchurch on the 30th of September and 1st of October, and will be organised by the Canterbury Chess Club on behalf of the New Zealand Chess Federation. Formal competition rules are available in the NZCF Interschool Rules. There is a lot of information on this website, but please take the time to read through the interschool rules. Where the official rules contradict this website, the rules prevail.
National Finals Organiser and Chief Arbiter:
IA Craig Hall
Mobile: 021 1289543
Email: hallc@paradise.net.nz
Venue:
Te Hapua: Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road, Christchurch 8025 - Link to the venue in Google Maps. The venue is a stunning community facility, with free off-street parking, a library (which offers free wi-fi), a cafe and a swimming pool, and a number of shops and a supermarket nearby.
Transport and Accommodation Information:
Some information on transport and accommodation options is available here.
Entry:
Teams must qualify for the National Finals via their regional competitions to be eligible to enter - full lists of competitions and results are available on the NZCF website. Once your school has been notified by your regional organiser that you are eligible to enter (usually this will be in person at the end of the regional final, or by email after the event), you are welcome to officially enter your school at any time. There is no entry fee for teams, but teams are responsible for their own accommodation and travel costs and arrangements. Some advice and information on transport and accommodation options is available here.
To enter, please confirm your school's entry by email to the organiser, Craig Hall, ideally as soon as practical, but no later than September 1st to avoid a late entry fee, including contact details for the team manager/designated contact. A team list in board order (including 1 optional reserve) must also be provided, but can be sent separately to confirmation of entry - please ensure an indicative team list is provided by September 1st (changes can be emailed as necessary). Please note that teams must be accompanied by an adult. Late entries will be accepted after September 1st until September 22nd subject to a late fee of $40. Entries will not be accepted after September 22nd.
Format:
The National Finals are run as three separate divisions, Primary (years 1-6), Intermediate (years 7-8) and Secondary (years 9-13). Each division will be run over 7 rounds using Swiss pairings.
Time Control:
25 minutes plus 5 seconds increment per move using digital chess clocks.
Registration:
Separate from entry procedure noted above, to ensure a timely start and avoid defaults, teams must register with the Chief Arbiter by 9:30am on the 30th of September. The venue will be open from 8:30am for registration in person. Teams may also register by email or text message on the day if circumstances dictate e.g. delayed flights. Teams not registered by 9:30am may not be paired in the first round.
Timetable
| Day One | September 30 |
| Registration: | from 8:30am(approx) |
| Registration closes: | 9:30am |
| Player's Meeting: | 9:45am |
| Round One: | 10:20am |
| Round Two: | 11:30am |
| Lunch: | After Round Two |
| Round Three: | 1:30pm |
| Round Four: | 2:40pm |
| Round Five: | 3:50pm |
| Day Two: | October 1 |
| Round Six: | 10:00am |
| Round Seven: | 11:10am |
| Prizegiving: | 12:30pm (approx) |
Entries to Date:
Primary
Greytown
Queenstown Primary School
Eastern Hutt Primary School
St Paul's Primary
Summerland Primary
Ilam Primary A
Ilam Primary B
Willow Park
Hillsborough Primary A
Hillsborough Primary B
Forrest Hill
King's School A
King's School B
Papatoetoe Central School
Hukanui School
West End School
Waimairi School