PremiumRafaella MeloReporter·Hawkes Bay Today·1 Aug, 2026 06:00 PM5 mins to read‌Paula Wilson and her son, Dion Wilson, whose competitive chess journey has cost the family about $43,700 over the past two-and-a-half years. Photo / Rafaella MeloWhen Paula Wilson sat down and added up what she had spent supporting her teenage son’s competitive chess over the past two-and-a-half years, she was shocked.Airfares: about $13,400.Accommodation: $19,000.Tournament entries: $3300.Coaching: $7200.Transport and extras: $800.

The total was about $43,700, excluding food, petrol and other