ONLINE Team Nationals 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 Teams National Finals 2025 Chess Championship. 

We’re thrilled to bring together our chess community once again, both onsite and online, for an event that celebrates the talent and determination of young players across New Zealand. Chess continues to experience tremendous growth not only here at home but also around the globe, with more schools, families, and communities recognizing the profound impact it has on young minds - fostering skills in critical thinking, resilience, and creativity.

For many of our players, competing at Nationals represents a dream come true, one built through dedication and countless hours of practice. We are committed to making this experience truly special, something they - and you - will cherish and remember.

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey, and for supporting these inspiring young players as they showcase their hard work and passion for the game. We look forward to sharing a memorable tournament filled with learning, growth, and the joy of chess!


Onsite Teams Nationals 2024 Intermediate Division Champions - Auckland Normal Intermediate

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.

Onsite Teams National Finals 2025 welcome letter

Onsite Champions Trophy 2025 welcome letter

Online Champions Trophy 2025 welcome letter

To all our parents, teachers and organisers, thank you for supporting our tamariki and giving them the opportunity to enjoy a truly memorable and unique experience. As always, we really appreciate your continued support. 

We have a total of 776 players registered for our National program of events. This represents an 8% increase in numbers over last year. For the online teams nationals we have 144 players registered. We are excited to meet all of you again and will do our best to ensure your experience is a positive one.

View a map of the schools participating in the ONLINE Team Nationals 2025.

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 25 October 2025.

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/update 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 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/6150964422.

Connect to Tornelo ready for check-in using this link https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/nzjunior/events/chess-power-online-team-nationals-all-divisions--7.


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-team-nationals-all-divisions--7

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 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.
8.00am Guests arrival start
9.00am All guests should have arrived
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
4.00pm 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--7. 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.
 
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.

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 quality 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 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.

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 some fun activities during the day including Blooket and Kahoot!

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 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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