The Auckland Schoolgirls Championship was held on July 1st and attracted 141 entries. This event has for many years been organised by FM Bob Smith and his wife WFM Vivian Smith. The overall (over 12 Open section) was won by 14-year-old Anya Thurner with a score of 5.5/6, a full point ahead of the field. Anya is a member of the NZ Women’s Olympiad team that will be competing in Chennai.
To support the FIDE Year of the Woman in Chess a special live 6 game Blitz Match was held at Poppies Bookstore in Howick (Auckland) between 12-year-old NZ Girl’s Champion WCM Isabelle Ning and 17-year-old NZ Women’s Champion WFM Vyanla Punsalan on July 16th. Vyanla won the match convincingly by a score of 4.5 to 1.5 and was awarded the winner’s prize of $300 while Isabelle received $200 which will help with their travel expenses to Chennai.
In addition, the NZ Women’s Team were presented with their official NZCF Olympiad jackets by local Member of Parliament Simeon Brown.