chessventures Southland Chess Academy
Introducing the chessventures Southland Chess Academy
Whilst monthly chess tournaments offer players the chance to compete against their peers, they are not held or attended regularly enough to really impact on their chess development.
Combining a weekly group coaching session with some supervised games against other ‘coached’ juniors is an approach I’d like to try.
Each session will include:
- A lesson
- Chess Problem Solving/Quizzes
- Mini tournament / supervised chess games
Sessions will be from 4-6pm on Sundays – initially run at my home office in Waverley, but if numbers grow I will look to move to a bigger more suitable venue.
The regular tournaments will continue to run monthly if at all possible, this will allow for others to join in who are not part of the regular coaching sessions and make for bigger events that are a lot more fun!
Ideally, after the trial program, the program for the rest of the year will be drawn up, students who are keen would be expected to attend most weeks, and payment will be on a monthly basis (fixed fee per month) and will cover the weekly academy sessions as well as the regular tournaments.
Those who cannot attend regularly will still be welcome to join the sessions, but at a higher price and if space allows.
As mentioned, there will be a trail program, running until the end of August.
This will encompass:
- 3 tournaments
- 7 Academy Sessions
Trial Programme
June – August 2026
| Date | Activity | Venue | Time | Cost |
| Sunday 28 June | Rapid Tournament | XO Kids | 2-5pm | $20 |
| Sunday 5 July | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Sunday 12 July | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Sunday 19 July | Academy Session | 69 Exmouth Street | 4-6pm | $25 |
| Sunday 26 July | Rapid Tournament | XO Kids | 2-5pm | $20 |
| Sunday 2 August | Academy Session | 69 Exmouth Street | 4-6pm | $25 |
| Sunday 9 August | Academy Session | 69 Exmouth Street | 4-6pm | $25 |
| Sunday 16 August | Academy Session | 69 Exmouth Street | 4-6pm | $25 |
| Sunday 23 August | Rapid Tournament | XO Kids | 2-5pm | $20 |
| Sunday 30 August | Academy Session | 69 Exmouth Street | 4-6pm | $25 |
For for the trial program, students do not need to commit to regular sessions but can attend as and when they can and want to – fees are payable per session (see above).
If your child is interested in attending any of the tournaments (28 June, 26 July, 23 August) or any of the Academy Sessions during the trial program, please let me know as places for the Academy Sessions may be limited.
For some students, these sessions may replace their current lessons, but for others it will be a fantastic addition to them.
Very happy to chat and answer any questions.
Please note this is Invercargill based.