Nationals Overview

Overview | Choose your event | FAQ | Qualification Pathway

The National Stage for School Chess in New Zealand

Chess Power Nationals is the culmination of our nationwide school chess pathway — bringing together top-performing teams and students from across New Zealand in a professionally run, high-energy competition.

Whether representing their school team or competing as an individual, students qualify through regional events, online competitions, and pathway tournaments throughout the year. Nationals includes two Team events (Team Nationals Onsite + Online) and two individual events (Champions Trophy Onsite + Online).

Nationals is more than just a tournament.

It’s where students:

• Represent their school colours with pride
• Compete against the strongest players at their level/division
• Test themselves under pressure
• Build resilience, focus, and strategic thinking
• Experience a professionally organised championship environment

We offer four National events, so schools and families can choose the format that best suits them:

Each event has its own qualification pathway and format. Click the buttons below to jump straight to the event you want.

REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL

View Team Nationals OnsiteView Team Nationals ONLINE

COMPETE INDIVIDUALLY
View Champions Trophy OnsiteView Champions Trophy ONLINE

Which Nationals Event Is Right For You?

help Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to qualify to enter Nationals?

Yes.

Chess Power Nationals is the culmination of our pathway events held throughout the year.

• Team Nationals requires qualification through Regionals or approved online team competitions.
• Champions Trophy requires qualification through designated pathway tournaments.

Only students and teams who qualify through official events are eligible to register for Nationals.

How do students qualify for Chess Power Nationals?

Students qualify through our official pathway events held throughout the year.

• Team Nationals qualification occurs through Regional events and approved online team competitions.
• Champions Trophy qualification occurs through designated pathway tournaments and qualifying events.

Each event clearly states whether it offers qualification spots. View qualification pathways for the Champions Trophy.

What year levels and divisions are offered?

Team Nationals includes three divisions to ensure fair and competitive play.

• Juniors (Years 1-6)
• Intermediates (Years 7-8)
• Seniors (Years 9+)

• Juniors (Years 1-6)
• Intermediates (Years 7-8)
• Open (Open all any year group)

Students compete within their appropriate year level grouping.

If a school does not have enough players to make a team, they can use students from a lower year level. For example, if you are forming an intermediate team but only have three year 7-8 students, you can make up the fourth player with a year 1-6 student.

Division details are outlined on each individual Nationals event page.

What is the difference between Team Nationals and the Champions Trophy?

• Team Nationals is a school-based competition. Students represent their school as part of a team.
• Champions Trophy is an individual national championship. Students compete independently for individual titles.

Both are national-level events, but the format and qualification pathway differ.

Can a student compete in both Team Nationals and the Champions Trophy?

In many cases, yes — provided the student qualifies through the appropriate pathway for each event.
Please refer to the specific event rules for eligibility details.

What is the difference between Onsite and Online Nationals?

• Onsite Nationals are held in person at a central venue.
• Online Nationals are played in a supervised online format, allowing students from across New Zealand to participate without travel.

Both formats are structured, professionally run national competitions.

Can a school enter both the Onsite and Online Team Nationals?

Yes.

When a school qualifies for Team Nationals, it earns 5–8 player spots. Schools can use those spots in the Onsite event, the Online event, or both. 

Example: If your school qualifies for 6 spots, you may enter 6 players onsite and another 6 players online (each event is a separate national competition).

Each event is treated as a separate national competition.

Is there a minimum number of players required in the Team Nationals event?

Yes.

A school must enter at least four (4) players per event to compete in Team Nationals.

• A school may enter 4+ players in the Onsite event.
• A school may enter 4+ players in the Online event.
• A school may enter 4+ players in both events.

However, a team cannot split players across formats to meet the minimum requirement.

You can’t combine players across formats to reach four (e.g., 2 onsite + 2 online does not form a valid team).

Do students need to be advanced players to compete?

No.

Students qualify through pathway events appropriate to their level.
Our Nationals divisions ensure students compete against players of similar ability.

Where are Onsite Nationals held?

The venue and location are announced each year on the official event page.
Click one of the buttons above to find out about venue information for onsite events.

Who organises and supervises Nationals?

Chess Power Nationals are professionally organised and supervised by the Chess Power team, ensuring fair play, structure, and a high-quality championship experience.

How do we register?

Once qualified, schools or families can register directly via the relevant Nationals event page.

Who registers — the school or the parents?

It depends on the event format.

• Team Nationals entries are typically coordinated by the school, as students represent their school as a team.
• Champions Trophy entries may be coordinated by either the school or families, depending on how qualification occurred.

Registration instructions are provided on the relevant event page once qualification is confirmed.

What equipment is required for Online Nationals?

Online Nationals require:

• A stable internet connection
• A suitable device (laptop or desktop recommended)
• A quiet, supervised playing environment

Full setup instructions and supervision requirements are provided to all registered participants prior to the event.

Online Nationals are structured and professionally supervised to ensure fair play and a national championship experience.

From classroom club to national stage — this is the journey.

Team Nationals pathwayChampions Trophy pathway