Online Champions Trophy 2025 Welcome Letter

WELCOME

On behalf of the team at Chess Power I want to wish you a very warm welcome to the Chess Power Online Champions Trophy 2025 Chess Championship. 

The Champions Trophy is the ultimate individual battle to find the best junior chess players in New Zealand. It is extremely challenging. Every player in this event has had to qualify by achieving one or more outstanding results through the year. There are two Champions Trophy events, onsite and online. This welcome letter is for the ONLINE event. 

Use the links below to access the onsite Champions Trophy event and other events in the Chess Power Nationals program. 

Onsite Teams Nationals Finals 2025

ONLINE Teams National Finals 2025

Onsite Champions Trophy 2025

Champions Trophy 2024 - Wellington College

Thank you for supporting our tamariki and giving them the opportunity to enjoy a truly memorable and unique experience. We really appreciate your support. 

I am delighted to say we have 776 players registered for our National program of events. For the online Champions Trophy we have 65 players registered. We are excited and can't wait for the best individual online junior event in New Zealand to start and see the ultimate battle begin!

I wanted to give you some pointers about the day to help ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible for you.

DATE
The date of the event is this Sunday 26 October 2025.

VENUE
This event and prize-giving is being held online. If you are interested in the onsite event, refer to the onsite Champions Trophy welcome letter.

TECHNOLOGY
There will be two main technologies you will be using. 

1. Zoom for video, voice and chat.
2. Tornelo for checking in, playing your games, viewing others' games and viewing the standings


CHECKING YOUR TECHNOLOGY WORKS

We recommend you check your technology is working correctly in the days leading up to the event. Here are some steps to check everything is working.

1. Click the Zoom link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6150964422 and download any required software

2. Once Zoom has started, click the small arrow next to the Mute button. In the popup menu, press Test Speaker & Microphone.

3. Check to make sure you can hear and your microphone is working


NATIONALS TECH CHECK

We will be running two Zoom sessions prior to the Team Nationals for players to check their technology.

Connect Check: Thursday 23 October 6:00pm - 7:00pm 
This session will be for players to check that Zoom is working correctly and they can connect and check-in to Tornelo.

Back Camera Check: Friday 24 October 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This session will be for players to check their back camera is connected and positioned correctly and ready for play.
Players who do not have a back camera connected during the event will not be able to participate!

For both sessions, use this link to connect to Zoom https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6150964422.

Connect to Tornelo ready for check-in using this link https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-champions-trophy--6.


ARRIVAL TIME AND CHECKING IN
From 7am on the morning of the event, you will be able to check-in to the tournament lobby. We recommend you aim to connect to Zoom no later that 8:00am to enjoy a stress-free arrival.

To check-in, go to the website https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-champions-trophy--6.

Watch this video from 03:04 onwards to learn how to check-in and play your games.
Sign in, and then click the I'm Here checkbox.

CONNECTING 
To connect to the audio/video feed for the event, click the Open Zoom Room button in Tornelo. 
Alternatively, you can use the following link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6150964422.
You do not require a login for Zoom and should join as an attendee.

LATE ARRIVAL?
If you are going to be late, please text us on 022 183 1605 with the event you are late for (onsite or online), school name, player names that will be late and expected time of arrival. We will give a half point bye for players that miss round 1 as long as you text ahead of time. Byes will not be available for later rounds.

EVENT SCHEDULE
Each player will play 9 rounds of chess. The time control is 15 minutes per player. There is no bonus time.
8.30am Guests connecting online
9.30am Opening Announcements
10.00am Start Round 1
10.35am Start Round 2
 
11.00am MORNING TEA BREAK
11.20am Start Round 3
11.55am Start Round 4
12.30pm Start Round 5
 
1.00pm LUNCH BREAK
1.30pm Start Round 6
2.05pm Start Round 7
 
2.30pm AFTERNOON TEA BREAK
2.50pm Start Round 8
3.25pm Start Round 9
4.15pm Fun Activity!
4.30pm Prize Giving
5.30pm Tournament Close and Farewell

FAIR PLAY, WHAT TO EXPECT AND TOURNAMENT RULES
We have put together a guide of what to expect at the Online Champions Trophy and the rules that will govern the event. There is detailed information on how to use Tornelo and Zoom and how the event will work. It is very important that you read this so you will be prepared for the event properly.

We want to stress the importance of Fair Play. Essentially this means that you cannot gain assistance during your games in any way. You can read more about how we protect players in the guide.

 
TOURNAMENT PROGRESS
Results of games for all divisions will be recorded live and are available on the website https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-champions-trophy--6. You can also use this link to see the other players that will be participating in your division. View our Understanding Event Results page to learn more about interpreting results.
 
UNIFORMS
As this is an individual event, school uniforms are not required. We recommend you dress smart casual in something that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable.
 
PRIZES

Trophies and Junior Master titles

The top player in each division will be crowned the Chess Power ONLINE Champions Trophy Champion for their division and be couriered a trophy they can keep. They will also receive the Junior Master title, a framed certificate and enter the Chess Power Hall of Fame.

The top female player in each division will be couriered the Best Female ONLINE Champions Trophy to keep and become the female champion for their division.

If two players get the same number of points, a tie-break is used based on the individual players performance to determine the overall winner.

Medals

The top players in the following age groups (below the overall division winner) will be couriered a special ONLINE Champions Trophy age group medal.

Junior Division

  • 7 and under
  • 9 and under
  • 11 and under

Intermediate Division

  • 11 and under
  • 12 and under
  • 13 and under

Senior Division

  • 14 and under
  • 16 and under
  • 18 and under
 
Certificates
After the event, each player will have the opportunity to download an electronic certificate based on their final placing.


Special Awards
The Chess Power badge system will also be running throughout the event so you can earn and collect badges. Badges won can be collected at any local Sarapu Cup event. In addition, prizes will be awarded for the biggest upsets and the biggest rating gainers. Brain challenges will also be available and some challenges can earn badges and rewards.

Additional Activities

We will be running some fun activities during the day including Blooket and a Kids vs Coach battle!

 
PRODUCTS
A good selection of chess products will be available for purchase at discounted prices including chess sets, clocks, and cool stuff! We’re also thrilled to announce that the boxed edition of X-Chess is available for purchase! You can order online at ChessCity.nz, enter the code "NATIONALS2025" and we will courier your products to you. You can pay via Credit Card or bank transfer. The offer will be available until midnight 26 October 2025.
 
CLOSING NOTE
I personally wish you and your team the very best of success in the ONLINE Chess Power Champions Trophy. I am confident your team will thoroughly enjoy the day and have a memorable and rewarding life experience.

Yours in Chess,

Paul Macdonald - Signature

Paul Macdonald
CEO
Chess Power

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