Continuing its global journey spanning five continents, the FIDE100 Torch Relay, commemorating a century of FIDE, made several thousand miles and landed in New Zealand.

The country has been given a special role ahead of the FIDE Chess Olympiad, to take place in Hungary next month. This year's 45th Chess Olympiad is celebrating 100 years since the governing body of chess competitions, FIDE, was created. To mark the momentous occasion, FIDE has chosen New Zealand to represent Oceania in the global torch relay.

A special ceremony by the New Zealand Chess Federation took place on Sunday, August 11, in Auckland, North Island. Featuring several high-ranking chess officials, including FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece-Ozola,, and President of New Zealand Chess Federation Nigel Metge, the event climaxed with the lighting of the cauldron symbolizing the enduring flame of chess in Oceania.

New Zealand Chess Federation vice president Paul Spiller said it was significant for New Zealand to be recognized by the global chess body.

"This is a very exciting event for New Zealand chess. It's a rare occasion for New Zealand to get a visit from a deputy president of FIDE and also a former five-time world champion, Vishy Anand, who is a very popular sporting figure in India."

The 15th World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand gave a masterclass and amicably chatted with his numerous fans.

New Zealand Chess is sending two teams of five to compete in the Olympiad's open team and women's team events. The competition is expected to be stiff, with a record 3000 players from across the world participating.

Since the pandemic and the release of Netflix's The Queen's Gambit, Spiller said chess had grown in popularity, particularly among young people. He said there were now more opportunities in chess than ever before.

"There's more chess in the news these days, there are more tournaments, and there is more money involved. Chess is now seen as a career opportunity. Not only playing but being arbiters, photographers and chess coaches."

Notably, most of New Zealand's Olympiad players are under the age of 22.

Sixteen-year-old Felix Xie, who had been playing chess competitively since he was eight, was one of the youngest players representing New Zealand at the competition. Xie said competing in the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai, India, when he was just 14, was one of his proudest achievements.

"The first time I competed, I was quite proud of that. Even though I didn't have the greatest tournament, it was a really proud moment to be all the way in India representing New Zealand."

He was pleased to see chess gaining popularity among his peers. Felix was looking forward to meeting Anand at the torch ceremony this weekend and the opportunity to take part in the upcoming Olympiad.

With the chess flame reaching New Zealand, the relay continues with stops in Quebec, Abu Dhabi and culminating in Budapest, Hungary in September, where the 45th Chess Olympiad will take place.

Based on the article by Jessica Hopkins (rnz.co.nz/)  Auckland reporter

Photos: Sergey Indeykin