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 2026 Chess Championship.
The Chess Power Online Teams Nationals Finals connect school teams from across New Zealand in a national contest of skill, focus and teamwork. Although players may be competing from different locations, they share the same goal: to represent their school and play their best chess.
A place in the Finals reflects the effort each team has put in throughout the year. We hope the players enjoy the challenge, encourage one another and take pride in what they have achieved. Thank you to the families and schools supporting them. We’re excited to bring this nationwide chess community together online.
St Cuthbert's College, Auckland
Onsite Teams Nationals 2025
This welcome letter is for the online Team Nationals. There is a separate welcome letter for the onsite Team Nationals, and the onsite and online Champions Trophy events, linked below.
To all the parents, teachers and organisers, thank you for supporting your tamariki and helping them take part in the Chess Power Online Teams Nationals Finals. We’re expecting 926 players across this year’s Nationals programme, bringing young chess players together from across New Zealand. We appreciate your continued support and will do our best to make the event an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone.
View a map of the schools participating in the ONLINE Team Nationals 2026.
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 teacher supervision and 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-team-nationals-all-divisions--8.
To check-in, go to the website https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-team-nationals-all-divisions--8
Alternatively, you can use the following link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/
LATE ARRIVAL?
8.00am Guests arrival start9.00am All guests should have arrived
9.30am 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 94.00pm 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-team-nationals-all-divisions--8. 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 as well as individual and team results. View our Understanding Event Results page to learn more about interpreting results.
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
FREE Entry to the Champions Trophy
The top 10 individuals in each division 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 qualify but have already paid for the Champions Trophy are not eligible for refunds.
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 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.
Each year we recognise a special individual that has supported chess in their school and community. The winner of the supporter of the year award will be announced at this event.
You can nominate the 2026 Supporter of the year by completing the nomination form. Nominations close on Thursday 15 October.
Additional Activities
We will be running fun activities during the day with prizes available for the winners.
Ceire Hopley, Waiopehu CollegeSupporter of the Year 2025PRODUCTS
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 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
CEO
Chess Power