Chess in Nelson

Thank you, Māpua School, for your support! ♟️

We're excited to be back for another term of Checkmate Pawn. If your child would like to join us, we'd love to hear from you.

📧 [email protected]

Checkmate Pawn Chess Course

Looking for a fun and engaging extracurricular activity?

Checkmate Pawn is a weekly after-school chess programme where students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, concentration and confidence through interactive lessons, puzzles and games in a supportive environment. The course is suitable for both beginners and students with previous chess experience, with activities tailored to different skill levels.

Fridays, 3:00–4:00 pm
Mapua School Library
Term 3 begins on 24 July

Taught by FIDE Chess Instructor Rami Riachi.

For more info or to register, please contact [email protected].

Ready for another big tournament?

Cole Cup 2026
Saturday, 25 July
Victory Community Centre
2 Totara Street, Nelson
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
6-round Swiss tournament
20 minutes per player
Entry fee: $40
Limited spots available

New Zealand Chess Federation NZCF is affiliated to FIDE, the World Chess Federation.

South Island Rapid Chess Championships 2026
♟️ Registrations are now OPEN!
📍 Venue: Rutherford Hotel Nelson (27 Nile Street West)
📅 Dates: Sunday 4 October
💰 Guaranteed Prize Fund: $500

Register now and secure your place!

South Island Rapid Chess Championships 2026 https://compete.newzealandchess.co.nz/event/south-island-rapid-chess-championships-2026/ ...

♟️ Entries are now open for the 67th Cole Cup!

Join the Top of the South's most prestigious chess tournament on Saturday, 25 July, at the Victory Community Centre, Nelson.

🏆 6-round Swiss tournament
⏱️ 20 minutes per player
♟️ FIDE & NZCF rated
👥 Open to players of all ages and levels

The Nelson Chess Club is holding the 67th Cole Cup next Saturday the 25th of July.

The event is a 6 round, NZCF and FIDE rated Swiss.

Full info here: https://compete.newzealandchess.co.nz/event/67th-cole-cup/

South Island Chess Championships 2026

♟️ Registrations are now OPEN!

📍 Venue: Rutherford Hotel Nelson (27 Nile Street West)
📅 Dates: Wednesday 30 September – Saturday 3 October 2026
🏆 Format: 8-round Swiss
⏱️ Time Control: 90 minutes + 30-second increment
💰 Guaranteed Prize Fund: $1,000

Whether you're aiming for the title or looking for a fantastic weekend of competitive chess, we’d love to see you there.

Register now and secure your place!

New Zealand Chess Federation NZCF is affiliated to FIDE, the World Chess Federation.

Huge thanks for the great write-up, Kate Russell! Nelson Weekly

So proud of how far this event has grown — 282 students from 29 schools across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough came together for this year's Top of the South Interschools Chess Championship, up from 194 last year. Massive congrats to Enner Glynn School, St Joseph's School and Nelson College for taking out their sections and qualifying for the NZCF National Interschools Finals in September!

More chess coming up this year: the Cole Cup (25 July), the South Island Chess Championship (30 September – 4 October) and more.

Nelson interschools chess hits record turnout Nelson interschools chess hits record turnout