NEW ZEALAND
GIRLS' CHESS WEEK - BOB SMITH
This inaugural event was a
resounding success. Girls only tournaments were
held in Auckland,
Christchurch and Dunedin during the week from 28 May to 1
June.
In
Auckland the organising club,Waitemata, received an incredible 128
entries.
Publicity releases resulted in primetime nationwide television
coverage on
TVNZ's One News, and an extensive article in the New Zealand
Herald, with a
big photo of promising junior Eugenia Sharomova. There
was
also coverage in the local West Auckland newspaper. The large turnout
caused
a few teething problems, mainly in terms of doing the pairings, but
these
should be eliminated next year by the use of the computer pairing
system
"swiss perfect" (currently being trialled by
NZCF's tournament committee).
Canterbury Chess Club also ran a very
successful girls championship, with
over 30 entries, and local newspaper
coverage. Principal organiser Jacinta
Buist - who has joined NZCF's
Female Chess Committee - is keen to run
another tournament again next year. A
highlight in Christchurch was a simul
by South Island Champion Ben
Giles, who also helped as arbiter.
Otago's Girls' Tournament was
a little more low-key, with 10 participants.
However, that is still more than
double the number of females who played in
the last New Zealand Women's
Championship! Otago stalwart Graham Haase
organized the
event.
NZCF provided special certificates for all three competitions.
This cost -
which was nominal - was virtually the Federation's only expense
for
invaluable, positive publicity, the chance for many more girls to
experience
the delights of chess and an opportunity to identify potential
members of
our future women's olympiad teams!
I would like to
personally thank all those involved in the Girls Chess Week,
especially my
wife Viv (NZCF's Female Chess Committee Convenor) who was a
driving force
behind the concept. NZCF Council has now decided to follow up
with a coaching
day in August for leading participants.
A play-off is also planned
between the regional champions (using the
internet or e-mail) to find a New
Zealand Girls' Chess Champion. Wellington
Chess Club is also now working on
organising a girls' championship at a later
date.
The overall regional
winners were : Auckland - Eugenia Sharomova , Natasha
Fairley and Samantha
Smith (1=); Christchurch - Hannah Mason ; Dunedin
-
Nicola Porteous. There will be more on the inaugural
Girls' Chess Week in
"NZ Chess" magazine.
With very best wishes to
all.
Graeme Gardiner