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 2026 Chess Championship.
The Chess Power Online Champions Trophy brings together players from across New Zealand for a national test of chess skill and decision-making. Competing online makes it possible for young players in different places to meet across the board and share in the challenge of a major tournament.
The Champions Trophy is an opportunity to focus, play with confidence and learn from every game. We hope each player enjoys the experience and finishes the event with something to be proud of. Thank you to the families and supporters cheering them on. We’re pleased to welcome you to this year’s online tournament.
Use the links below to access the onsite Champions Trophy event and other events in the Chess Power Nationals program.
Onsite Teams Nationals Finals 2026
Drone PhotoChampions Trophy 2026
To all the parents, teachers and supporters, thank you for encouraging your tamariki and helping them take part in the Chess Power Online Champions Trophy. We’re expecting 929 players across this year’s Nationals programme, with young chess players joining from across New Zealand. We appreciate your continued support and will do our best to make the tournament an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone.
DATE
Please check out the Online Event Rules page for important information.
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/
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 22 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 23 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/
Connect to Tornelo ready for check-in using this link https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-champions-trophy--7.
To check-in, go to the website https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-champions-trophy--7.
Read these instructions to learn how to check-in and play your games.
Sign in, and then click the Check-in checkbox.
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/
You do not require a login for Zoom and should join as an attendee.
8.30am Guests connecting online9.30am Opening Announcements10.00am Start Round 110.35am Start Round 211.00am MORNING TEA BREAK11.20am Start Round 311.55am Start Round 412.30pm Start Round 51.00pm LUNCH BREAK1.30pm Start Round 62.05pm Start Round 72.30pm AFTERNOON TEA BREAK2.50pm Start Round 83.25pm Start Round 94.15pm Fun Activity!4.30pm Prize Giving5.30pm Tournament Close and Farewell
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.
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--7. 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.
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.
Trophies
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
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 onsite Chess Power 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 fun activities during the day with prizes available for the winners.
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 "NATIONALS2026" and we will courier your products to you. You can pay via Credit Card or bank transfer. The offer will be available until midnight 25 October 2026.
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
CEO
Chess Power