Auckland is set to host the World Chess Federation’s 100-year celebrations this year and a local aficionado of the sport is excited to be amongst the action.
Howickian and vice president of the New Zealand Chess Federation, Paul Spiller, says the celebrations include an Olympic Torch-lighting ceremony and buffet dinner at Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre on August 10.
The Olympic Torch Ceremony is being held on different continents in the lead-up to the World Chess Olympiad in Hungary in September.
The NZ Chess Federation is hosting the local event on August 10 as the representative country for Oceania.
“This is part of global celebrations taking place to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of our international chess body FIDE, the original charter being signed in Paris on July, 20, 1924,” Spiller says.
“We’re welcoming several executive members of the World Chess Federation including former World Chess Champion chess Grandmaster Vishy Anand of India.
“Vishy is legendary in his home country of India as the first Indian chess player to become a Grandmaster and also to become the world champion.
“It’s extremely rare for a World Champion to get the opportunity to visit New Zealand.
“The last time was back in 1988 when former World Champion Boris Spassky played in a tournament in Wellington.
“Vishy is also the deputy president of FIDE and we’re delighted he’ll be making his first visit to New Zealand for this event.
“Also attending will be Woman Grandmaster Dana Reizniece-Ozola, a former member of the Latvian Parliament and deputy chair of the FIDE Development Commission.
“Dana first visited in March of last year to promote a global initiative for girls in chess.”
Details of the Olympic Torch-lighting ceremony are still being worked out but Spiller thinks he may light it by the chessboard in Fencible Walk Park in Howick and then take it in a convoy to Waipuna where it’ll be used for the official lighting of the Torch Bowl and to welcome guests.
He’s pleased to see the popularity of chess among players of all ages in east Auckland.
“Howick has become a bit of a hub for chess events over the last few years with the annual Poppies Chess Challenge at Poppies bookstore in Picton Street and we also have a large training seminar for chess arbiters … with an International Arbiter from Australia over to run the course.
“Also, local chess identity and life member of the Howick-Pakuranga Chess Club Dr Tony Booth has just represented New Zealand at the World Seniors Teams Chess Championship and was honoured as the oldest competitor at 85 years of age.”
