Online Teams National Finals 2020 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 Teams National Finals 2020 Chess Championship. 

This year has been extremely challenging and disruptive for everybody. Just three weeks ago we weren't sure if Nationals was going ahead at all! And to top it off the election took our venue.

To provide some relief from the disruption, for the first time this year we have offered online formats for our national events. 

You can read the welcome letters for the other events in our Nationals program using the links below:

Onsite Teams National Finals 2020

Onsite Champions Trophy 2020

Online Champions Trophy 2020


Teams Nationals 2019 Senior Division Champions - Hamilton Boys High School

Thank you for bearing with us and changing your plans to fit in with ours. And mostly, thank you for supporting our tamariki and giving them the opportunity to enjoy a truly memorable and unique experience. We really appreciate it. 

Things have settled down and fortunately, just in time. As I write, I am delighted to say we have 550 players registered for our National program of events, well in excess of previous years. For the online teams nationals we have a remarkable 202 players registered. We are excited and can't wait for the event to start and see the ultimate team 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 Saturday 24 October 2020.
 
VENUE
This event and prize-giving is being held online. If you are interested in the onsite event, refer to the onsite Teams Nationals 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 PRACTICE BLITZ TOURNAMENTS

We will be running free Nationals practice blitz tournaments in the week leading up to Nationals. We recommend you join these events so you can check everything is working correctly, you can learn the online interfaces you will be using during Nationals and you will get valuable chess practice.

Each practise event will have 5 rounds. The time control will be 5 minutes for the whole game.
To register, click the links below and click Enter Event now.

Tuesday 20 October 2020 6:00pm - 7:00pm 
https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/nationals-practice-blitz

Wednesday 21 October 2020 6:00pm - 7:00pm 
https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/nationals-practice-blitz--1

Thursday 22 October 2020 6:00pm - 7:00pm 
https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/nationals-practice-blitz--2



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

Watch this video 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 021 0271 5577 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 Round1
10.35am Start Round2
 
11.00am MORNING TEA BREAK
11.20am Start Round3
11.55am Start Round4
12.30pm Start Round5
 
1.00pm LUNCH BREAK
1.30pm Start Round6
2.05pm Start Round7
 
2.30pm AFTERNOON TEA BREAK
2.50pm Start Round8
3.25pm Start Round9
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 Online Teams Nationals 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-team-nationals-all-divisions. You can also use this link to see the other teams that will be participating in your division and the players that make up each team.

 
UNIFORMS
As this is a school teams event school uniforms are required. Video is required to be turned on so people can see you. We recommend you come best dressed as this shows your team is well organised.


PRIZES
Trophies
The winning team in each division will be crowned the Chess Power Online Team National Champions for their division. The trophy will be engraved and couriered to the winning school.

Junior Master Titles
The top individual player in each division will receive the Junior Master title, a framed certificate and enter the Chess Power Hall of Fame.

Medals
Medals will also be presented to the top 3 individual players, the best girl, and the players in the top 3 teams in each division. Medals will be couriered to the school.

FREE Entry to the Champions Trophy

The top 10 individuals in each divison will gain free entry to their choice of the onsite Champions Trophy or the online Champions Trophy on the following day. An email confirming attendance including which event you wish to attend must be sent to events@chesspower.co.nz before 8pm on Saturday evening. 

Note Players who have already paid for the Champions Trophy are not eligible for refunds.


Certificates
Your school will be sent an electronic certificate for each player based on the teams' final placing as follows:

JUNIOR DIVISION
1st: Distinction
2nd - 3rd: Excellence
4th - 6th: Credit
7th - 12th: Merit

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
1st: Distinction
2nd - 4th: Excellence
5th - 7th: Credit
8th - 13th: Merit

SENIOR DIVISION
1st: Distinction
2nd - 3rd: Excellence
4th - 6th: Credit
7th - 12th: Merit

Special Awards
The Chess Power badge system will also be running throughout the event so you can earn and collect badges.
In addition, prizes will be awarded for the biggest upsets and the biggest rating gainers. Note that the Teams National Finals has a 30 k-factor which effectively means you earn double rating points!
Brain challenges will also be available and some challenges can earn badges and rewards. We will also be featuring a special chess composition challenge.
 
Supporter of the Year
Each year we recognise a special individual that has supported chess in their school and community. The winner of the supporter of the year will be announced at this event.

Additional Activities
We will be running complementary coaching clinics for all divisions through the day in our Zoom training room, so make sure you take advantage of these.

 
PRODUCTS
A good selection of chess products will be available for purchase through the day including chess sets, clocks, and cool stuff! Just order online at ChessCity.nz and we will courier your products to you. You can pay via Credit Card or bank transfer.


CLOSING NOTE
I personally wish you and your team the very best of success in the Chess Power Online Teams National Finals. 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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