Prominent chess figures from around the world are converging on Auckland for a series of round-robin tournaments organized by local enthusiast Paul Spiller. The events, held at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre from January 15 to 21, aim to boost chess development in New Zealand ahead of the 2026 World Chess Olympiad. The highlight is the Bob Wade Memorial Masters, featuring top international talent.
Paul Spiller, co-founder of the Middle Game Chess Foundation and former Oceania president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) from 2014 to 2023, is spearheading efforts to popularize chess in east Auckland. As vice-president and life member of the New Zealand Chess Federation, he has organized five all-play round-robin tournaments at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, running from January 15 to 21.
The premier event, the Bob Wade Memorial Masters, honors International Master Bob Wade, New Zealand's first chess professional and a two-time British Championship winner. It features 10 players, including five overseas grandmasters. Leading the field is Grandmaster Mickey Adams, a former world number-four and nine-time British Chess Champion, who won the title again this year. Making his first visit to New Zealand, Adams faces stiff competition from Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez, Malaysia's first grandmaster and recent winner of the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur; 25-year-old Yeoh Li Tian, a former Asian Continental Champion; returning Hungarian Grandmaster Gabor Nagy, last year's co-winner; and Polish newcomer Grandmaster Jacek Stopa.
New Zealand's representatives include Felix Xie, 17-year-old International Master Sravan Renjith, International Master Tom Middelburg, and two-time national champion FIDE Master Daniel Gong. Rounding out the participants is International Master James Morris from Melbourne, one of Australia's top players pursuing grandmaster norms.
Alongside the main tournament, four other sections honor recently deceased chess colleagues. These events, supported by the Middle Game Chess Foundation and FIDE, provide opportunities for New Zealand players to earn international titles and gain practice for the World Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan later in 2026.
Following the tournaments, Grandmaster Adams will host a simultaneous exhibition at the Howick Bowling Club on January 22 at 6pm, facing up to 25 opponents at 33 Selwyn Road. Entry costs $50 per board, with limited spots available via email to paulsspiller@outlook.com. The Howick-Pakuranga Chess Club acknowledges support from D&D Financial Consultants and the Middle Game Chess Foundation, without which the events would not be possible.
"These tournaments are being supported by the Middle Game Chess Foundation and FIDE to develop chess in New Zealand," Spiller said.