Peter Stuart Memorial 2026 takes place on July 10-12, 2026 in Takapuna, New Zealand. This long-weekend classical event brings together ambitious club players, experienced competitors, and improving juniors for three days of serious over-the-board chess on Auckland’s North Shore.
This is a chess tournament in Takapuna, New Zealand, in 2026. The event offers two six-round Swiss sections, a classical time control, and a guaranteed cash prize fund. Therefore, it stands out as a strong option for players who want meaningful games, clear conditions, and a practical tournament schedule.
In addition, the event combines straightforward organization with a comfortable hotel setting and solid prize support. As a result, Peter Stuart Memorial 2026 gives players a balanced mix of competitive chess, simple logistics, and a well-structured weekend format.
🏁 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Peter Stuart Memorial 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | July 10-12, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Takapuna, New Zealand |
| 🏨 Venue | Ballroom of The Spencer Hotel, 9-17 Byron Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand |
| 👤 Organizer | North Shore Chess Club |
| ♟️ Format | Two 6-round Swiss tournaments |
| 🧩 Sections | Open and Reserve |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the game with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| ✅ Rating | NZCF-rated and FIDE-rated where possible |
| 💵 Prize fund | NZD 6,670 guaranteed (approximate USD 3,900) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a classical chess time control of 90 minutes for the full game with a 30-second increment from move one. Both sections follow a six-round Swiss format, so players get a full weekend of substantial tournament games and a meaningful final standings table.
Moreover, players can request one half-point bye in any one of the first five rounds. However, they need to send that request before the tournament begins and include it on the entry form.
🏆 Prize Fund
Peter Stuart Memorial 2026 offers a guaranteed prize fund of NZD 6,670. The published structure includes major prizes in both sections, grade prizes, a perfect-score bonus, and upset prizes during the event. Therefore, the tournament rewards strong overall results as well as standout round-by-round performances.
| Prize | Open | Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | NZD 1,500 | NZD 700 |
| 2nd | NZD 1,000 | NZD 400 |
| 3rd | NZD 750 | NZD 250 |
| 4th | NZD 500 | NZD 180 |
| Grade prizes | NZD 500 | NZD 300 |
| 6/6 bonus | NZD 200 | NZD 150 |
In addition, the organizer awards upset prizes worth a total of NZD 240 across the tournament. Players can also collect upset prizes and 6/6 bonuses alongside one major prize.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Open | For players with a FIDE rating of 1600 or higher |
| Open exceptions | Players rated below 1600, especially juniors, can enter on application |
| Reserve | For players with a FIDE rating under 1700 |
Both sections count for NZCF rating and, where possible, for FIDE rating as well. In addition, non-New Zealand players must provide a FIDE ID before the event starts.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Players’ Meeting |
| Friday, July 10, 2026 | 9:30 AM | Round 1 |
| Friday, July 10, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 9:30 AM | Round 3 |
| Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 9:30 AM | Round 5 |
| Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Round 6 |
| Sunday, July 12, 2026 | After Round 6 | Prizegiving |
The schedule spreads six rounds across three days. Consequently, players can settle into a steady competitive rhythm from Friday morning through the final prizegiving on Sunday.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Early entry deadline | Before June 27, 2026 |
| Open entry fee | NZD 100 |
| Reserve entry fee | NZD 80 |
| Grandmaster entry | Free |
| International Master entry | Free |
| Late-entry surcharge | NZD 20 |
| Final late-entry deadline | Midnight, Wednesday, July 8, 2026 |
| Day-of-event entries | Not accepted |
| Entry method | Online entry form or email entry |
| Entry email | heligan@heliganchess.nz |
| Payment method | Bank transfer |
| Bank account | North Shore Chess Club Inc., ASB 12-3008-0301266-00 |
| NZL player requirement | NZCF Individual Membership required before the event starts |
| Non-resident foreign visitors | Exempt from the NZCF membership requirement |
The organizers reserve the right to refuse entries. In addition, players should see their entry in the Vega file soon after registration, which helps them confirm that the organizer recorded their details correctly.
👤 Organizer
North Shore Chess Club organizes Peter Stuart Memorial 2026 and continues to support competitive weekend chess on Auckland’s North Shore. The club presents the event with a practical format, clearly defined sections, and reliable playing conditions. Because of that, players can expect an organized and focused classical tournament weekend.
- Email: heligan@heliganchess.nz
📍 Venue
The Spencer Hotel, 9-17 Byron Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
The event takes place in the ballroom of The Spencer Hotel. In addition, players have access to the large restaurant on the same floor. However, the venue allows only water bottles from outside, so participants should plan food and drink accordingly between rounds.
🚗 How to Get There
The venue sits on Byron Avenue in Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore, so arrival planning stays simple for both local players and visitors. Most parking in the area is free on weekends and public holidays. Therefore, players can use the full hotel address for direct navigation before the first round.
Peter Stuart Memorial 2026 combines classical chess, clear organization, and strong prize support for a competitive weekend in Takapuna.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $3,900
Date And Time
12-07-2026
Event Types
Event Category
Event Tags
- Google Calendar
- iCalendar
- Outlook 365
- Outlook Live
Share With Friends
Organizer
North Shore Chess Club is a long-established chess organizer in Auckland, New Zealand. Founded in 1956, the club has supported competitive and community chess on the North Shore for decades and remains one of the recognizable active clubs in the wider Auckland chess scene. Its official activity shows a consistent focus on structured club nights, rated competition, and regular opportunities for both adult and junior players.
The club runs a broad internal calendar that includes classical, rapid, and blitz events, as well as the Club Championships, seasonal tournaments, and the Peter Stuart Memorial Open. In addition, it maintains a dedicated Junior Club on Friday evenings, which strengthens its role in youth chess development and helps sustain a clear pathway from beginner and school-level participation into organized club competition.
Its current public structure also shows an active leadership team. In the 2026 AGM officer list, Helen Milligan is named president, Daniel Johns is secretary, and Taylor Sussex is listed among the main operational contacts used for player communication. The club also states that it aims to NZCF-rate and FIDE-rate as many events as possible, which underlines its serious competitive orientation and its ongoing role in formal chess organization in Auckland.
Related Events
5th International Chess Festival Cēsis
13th Annual Washington International
Teschner-Gedenkturnier 2026
19th Annual Chicago Class Championships
$10K Guaranteed Ken Ferguson Memorial Open