Back to page

Help Joshua Represent NZ Chess

  • 2nd at Invitational tournament in Auckland

      26 January 2026
    Main image

    Josh finished second in the Arthur Pomeroy Memorial Chess Tournament last week. He was presented with his prize by Dr Tony Booth, NZCF Life Member and Vice-Patron of the Federation.

    The tournament consisted of 11 rounds over six days, with Josh’s longest game lasting an intense 5.5 hours and ending in a draw. He also had the privilege of meeting Super GM Michael Adams and current Commonwealth Champion GM Daniel Fernandez, both from England, who were invited to compete in the Bob Wade Memorial Masters Tournament running alongside the event.

    We are now looking ahead to what lies in store for Josh this year, with some very exciting opportunities on the horizon. At the top of the list, he has been selected as one of just four junior players from New Zealand to join an international youth development squad. This programme begins next weekend and includes online training with some of the world’s top coaches, totalling 400 hours of study over the next four months, followed by the opportunity for in-person training for the top 12 players in the squad.

    Thank you again for your support.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Oceania Youth Zonals

      4 January 2026
    Main image

    I had some really hard games at the Oceania Youth Zonals, we learnt after a few rounds that the Australian players are very underrated, their international rating is a lot lower than their national rating and their ability.

    I got 4 out of 9 points.

    I have a couple of weeks at home and then to Auckland for the invitational tournament I am playing in which is 11 classical (long) over 6 days.

    Thank you again for your support that helped me be able to play in these tournaments. I also got support from a couple of local op-shops which made a big difference to our goal.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 06/01/2026 by Jo

      Keep it up Joshua. Follow your dreams. I look forward to your progress.

  • Home from Commonwealth Chess Championship in KL, Malaysia

      24 November 2025
    Main image

    We're home from the Commonwealth Chess Championships. We had few busy days after we got home including in Auckland on Saturday for a one day, Fischer Random chess tournament where the pieces are in random order at the start of each round.

    Good results for my first international tournament, we have been told 50% is a good result:

    4/9 for classical (long games)

    5.5/9 for Blitz (quick games)

    I lost my final round of classical at the Commonwealths after 5 hours of battling. Playing my first international tournament a division higher and against some very strong players was a wonderful experience. I learnt a lot!

    In just under 3 weeks I'm off to play in the Oceania Youth Zonal in Brisbane and have three 1 day tournaments (2 in Auckland & 1 in Rotorua) before then!

    Thanks again for your support - we are hopeful to raise the remainder required in the next couple of weeks as waiting to hear back from an organisation who is meeting to discuss helping financially.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Reduced goal

      3 November 2025

    Thanks to a couple of sponsorships we have reduced the total goal.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Less than a week to Commonwealths

      3 November 2025
    Main image

    We leave on Friday for the Commonwealth Chess Championships! It has been a very busy few weeks with fundraising, coaching, a 3 day tournament in Wellington and our usual day to day activities.

    In Wellington I got 6th overall, only 1 point behind first place, there were a few tied for 2nd place. I also had my best rated victory so far, winning against the player who is currently ranked 20th in NZ.

    Thanks to everyone who has donated to help me get to the overseas tournaments. I am still needing to raise some funds towards the Oceania Youth Zonals in Brisbane in December and the Arthur Pomeroy in Auckland in January but we have managed with a few sponsorships to cover the costs of the Commonwealths in Malaysia which is great.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Off to a great start!

      7 October 2025

    A generous family member has got things started so the goal has been reduced.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment