Since January 15, 148 players have been playing in the annual competition, which is not a knockout tournament, but sees all players matched up against those on the same points, on a continuous basis.
Competition arbiter Shaun Press said the final round started at 3pm and he hoped there would be some indication as to the winner by 7pm.
Grandmasters Li Chao, of China, Eduardas Rozentalis, of Lithuania and Jun Zhao, of China, were last night ranked highest on points, with nine others still in contention to chase the grandmasters down.
Paul Garbett, of Auckland, sitting in 14th place, was the highest ranked New Zealander and well placed to win the 119th New Zealand Chess Championships national title incorporated in the competition.
Behind him, on the same points standing, was Russell Dive (Wellington) in 23rd, while slightly further back were Michael Steadman (Auckland) and Anthony Ker (Wellington) in 26th and 28th.
Top placed competitors:
Li Chao (China), 6 points, 1; Eduardas Rozentalis (Lithuania), 6, 2; Jun Zhao (China), 6, 3; Dejan Bojkov Bulgaria), 5.5, 4; Trevor Tao (Australia) 5.5, 5; Junta Ikeda (Australia) AUS 5.5, 6; Darryl Johansen (Australia) AUS ; 5.5, 7; Domagoj Dragicevic (Australia), 5.5, 8; Xiaobing Gu China), 5.5, 9; Sune Hansen (Denmark), 5.5, 10; Surya Ganguly (India), 5.5, 11; Moulthun Ly (Australia), 5.5, 12.
