About Us
Auckland Knights Chess Club is a new community-focused chess club created to support young players, beginners, and chess-loving adults across South Auckland and East Auckland.
The club has been inspired by CM Sai Vivan Karthikeya Somaraju, one of New Zealandβs talented young chess players, who wanted to create a friendly place where children and adults can learn, practise, improve, and enjoy chess together.
Whether you are completely new to chess, returning after many years, or already playing in tournaments, Auckland Knights Chess Club welcomes you.
Become a Knight.
Our goal is to make chess more accessible to families and players in the local community. Whether you are completely new to chess, returning after many years, or already playing in tournaments, Auckland Knights Chess Club welcomes you.
Sai will also share his chess learning experience, ideas, and practical tips with beginners and junior players. From time to time, he will help guide young players through weekly learning sessions, practice games, and chess improvement discussions.
To build a strong and supportive chess community in South Auckland and East Auckland, where children, families, and adults can develop their chess skills, confidence, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Auckland Knights Chess Club aims to provide:
Chess learning support for beginners and junior players
Friendly weekly chess practice sessions
Opportunities for children and adults to play and improve
Guidance from experienced and competitive players
Junior chess events under the Junior Knights programme
Future club tournaments and community chess events
A pathway toward organising FIDE-rated tournaments in the future
The Junior Knights programme will focus on helping young players learn chess in a structured, friendly, and encouraging environment. The aim is to support children from beginner level through to competitive tournament play.
As the club grows, Auckland Knights Chess Club plans to organise regular events, junior competitions, training sessions, and eventually FIDE-rated tournaments to give local players more opportunities to compete and improve.
We believe South Auckland and East Auckland have many talented young players and chess-interested families. Auckland Knights Chess Club wants to provide a local platform for these players to learn, connect, and grow.
Whether you are a parent looking for chess opportunities for your child, a beginner wanting to learn, or an adult who enjoys the game, Auckland Knights Chess Club is here to welcome you.
Learn. Play. Improve. Compete. Become a Knight.
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