On the 3rd of September, the TNT chess team participated in this tournament, hosted once again by Waipahihi School and expertly run by Chess Power Ltd. The team performed exceptionally well, finishing in the top 25% of all players, with every team member securing at least one win out of seven matches.
Riley Parker Ord led the team with an impressive 5 wins out of 7 games, earning him a spot at the prestigious National Champions Trophy competition in Wellington. This premier event aims to crown the best junior chess player in New Zealand. Another standout was Immanuel Wightman, who won 4 out of his 7 games.
Ari Pepper achieved the biggest upset of the tournament, defeating a highly ranked opponent with a rating 400 points higher than his own. Simon Howden-Rogers earned the Pawn Power Badge for his clever checkmate using a pawn.
The TNT Chess Team did their school proud, upholding the school’s values throughout the competition. Congratulations to the team for their outstanding achievements!
