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2026 1st Quarter Recap
Q1 2026 Recap: H5 Chess Wellington
It’s been an incredible start to the year! From high-stakes rated battles to coffee-shop blitz, H5 is officially Wellington’s hub for chess.
🏆 Class Championship Highlights
The battle for the top spot was fierce, resulting in a dramatic finish:
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Co-Champions: A huge congratulations to Dmitry and Suhaas for tying for 1st Place! Both played exceptional chess to split the title.
♟️ Weekly Action & Training
We’ve kept the clocks ticking with our signature weekly schedule:
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Wednesday Nights: Group lessons at 5:30 PM, followed by Rated Games at 6:30 PM.
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Saturdays: Rated tournaments from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
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Improvement Workshops: Our deep-dive sessions continue to help players of all ages sharpen their opening repertoires and endgame technique.
☕ Beyond the Board: Community Events
Chess is better with friends. This quarter, we took the game beyond the club:
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Blitz & Music Night: A high-energy evening of speed chess at Owl Canyon Coffee.
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Casual Chess & Chill: A relaxed night featuring a community viewing of the Polgar documentary.
Coming Up in Q2: We are sticking to our winning formula: Wednesdays at 5:30 PM and most Saturdays at 10:00 AM. Whether you want to study, socialize, or sweat over a rated game, we'll see you there.
JANUARY'S WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASSIC HIGHLIGHTS
Round 1 Recap - Open Section
Round 1 of the Open section delivered exactly what you want in an opening round: decisive results at the top boards, early separation in the standings, and several instructive outcomes that set the tone for the rest of the event.
Top seed Shubh Misra (2049) started the tournament in strong form, converting the White pieces for a full point and immediately staking a claim at the top of the leaderboard. Close behind, NM Dmitry Kishinevsky (2021) also opened with a win, showing his usual experience and composure to stay right in the hunt.
On board three, Anthony R. Whitt (1843) made an excellent start, scoring a convincing Round 1 victory with White and keeping pace with the leaders. Emmett Lignell (1842) matched that result from the Black side, securing a solid win and ensuring the chase group remained tightly packed after the first round.
The middle of the table saw a quieter result, with Jared Hall (1218) taking a half-point bye to begin the event on ½.
The remaining boards were hard-fought but ultimately decisive. Andrew Pineda, Jerry Meisner, Robert Downes, and Maxwell Gulan each dropped their Round 1 games but will be looking to rebound quickly as the pairings continue to reshuffle in later rounds.
After one round, four players sit on a perfect score, setting up key clashes ahead. With rating gaps narrowing and momentum already in play, Round 2 promises sharper battles and early tests for the leaders.
Blitz Tournament Recap – Birthday Celebration!
The three-round blitz event wrapped up in high spirits as players gathered not for prizes or entry fees, but to celebrate National Master Dmitry Kishinevsky’s birthday and enjoy fast, competitive chess in a relaxed setting.
At the top of the table, Emmett Lignell (1842) delivered a perfect performance, going 3-for-3 to take clear first place. Emmett showed excellent tactical awareness and time management throughout the event, capping his night with a Round 3 win over NM Kishinevsky to finish undefeated.
NM Dmitry Kishinevsky (2021) finished on 2 points, opening with two wins before dropping his final game. Even on his birthday, Dmitry brought the usual fighting spirit and helped set the tone for a strong, friendly, and competitive blitz atmosphere.
A tight group followed just behind on 2 points, including Anthony R. Whitt (1843) and Robert Downes (1245). Whitt rebounded well after an early setback, while Downes turned in one of the standout performances of the night with multiple upset wins, showing that blitz rewards sharp tactics and confidence over rating.
The rest of the field remained competitive throughout all three rounds. Andrew Pineda, Jerry Meisner, and Maxwell Gulan each picked up important wins, while Jared Hall fought through a tough pairing slate in a fast-paced format that left no room for hesitation.
With no prizes on the line, the focus stayed exactly where it belonged—good games, good company, and celebrating a beloved coach, competitor, and friend of the local chess community. The event was a reminder of why blitz nights are a staple: fast fun, sharp lessons, and plenty of smiles between rounds.
Happy Birthday, NM Dmitry Kishinevsky—and thanks to everyone who came out to make it a great night of chess.