In July, the Otago Daily Times reported that Ukrainian refugee and seven-time Otago rapid open champion Alex Nedyhalov was searching for a local business to sponsor him for tournaments in Auckland.
One business stepped up to the plate.
"One very nice woman saw the newspaper and contacted me and said she could be my sponsor ... I’m very thankful to Natalie Parry from Sax Hair Design."
Along with the sponsorship Ms Parry gave him a T-shirt, which he would be wearing in his Auckland competitions in mid-January next year.
"The North Island is more competitive and I’ve already won here seven times. I need to up my game — I’ve versed and won against everyone here."
Mr Nedyhalov won his seventh Otago seasonal rapid tournament this month, helping bump his chess.com score to 2500.
In July, he said reaching this benchmark was his goal.
Training online with grand master Iuri Shkuro, who is also from Ukraine but now resides in England, has helped him clear that goal.
"Eventually, I want to be strong enough to join the New Zealand national team. For that I need to be strong enough — that is what going to the North Island for tournaments helps me attain.
"I think I can win [in January], but I need to prove it."
He said the ultimate goal was always to win, and he would always aim to be better than the previous day.
"Tomorrow I will play better than today — just yesterday I beat an international master from Ukraine, which means I’m doing good."
