ACF Bulletin No. 27 - July 25, 1999

CONTENTS

FIDE Golden Book, 75th Anniversary Celebration; World Seniors; Swiss
Perfect; Grand Prix - Sydney Weekender; 1999 New South Wales State
Championships; National Conference; Women's World Championship; Kasparov
Schools Article; Discussion Items; Correspondence

FIDE GOLDEN BOOK, 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
 
There are 91 nominations worldwide for FIDE's Golden Book. The only
nomination from Australia is Garry Koshnitsky. If anyone can enlighten me
regarding the criteria etc I'd appreciate it.
 
WORLD SENIORS
 
These will be held from 7 November 1999 to 20 November 1999 in Gladenbach,
Germany. Registrations need to be in by 20 September 1999. To qualify men's
60th and women's 50th birthdays must have occurred on 31/12/98 or earlier.

SWISS PERFECT
 
I'm thrilled by the fact that so far 37 clubs around Australia have taken
up our free offer of a Swiss Perfect pairings programme licence. The more
the merrier especially if it leads to an increase in tournament activity
down the track. If you have not already done so, please order your licenced
copy now.

Robert Rozycki advises that his new web page is now operational at
http://www.swissperfect.com
 
Importing from the ACF Rating List into Swiss Perfect tournament files
 
The latest ACF Rating List has been published in text format at
http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/chess/aug99rat.txt   After you have
downloaded the list, you can configure Swiss Perfect to allow direct
imports from the ACF Rating List by following a few simple steps:
 
 
1. Start Swiss Perfect 98 and make sure that the List View window of any
tournament is active or simply create a new tournament (the Import Setup
option is only available when List View window is active).
 
2. Select Options / Import Setup from the main menu.
 
3. Via the Select Database File dialog locate the downloaded file and
click Open.  The Import Player Setup dialog will be displayed.
 
4. Fill out the dialog's fields as follows:
 
"Field Separator": select {tab}
Field Mappings:
"Surname": 5
"Rating Loc": 2
all other Mapping fields: empty (or 0)
"First name is part of surname": checked
"Surname appears before first name": checked
"Separator": select "," (comma)
 
Click "Save Mapping As .." and type "ACF" or another name if you prefer,
to save the configuration for future reference
 
5. Click OK.
 
At this point,  "Import" from the ACF list has been configured.
 
The first time you activate a newly configured Import (for example by
selecting Player/Import), the program will ask you whether you want to
create an index file.  Select "Yes".
 
GRAND PRIX - SYDNEY WEEKENDER
 
The next Sydney Weekender has been moved from 21/22 August 1999 to 14/15
August 1999.

VENUE: Ashfield Catholic & Community Club, 7 Charlotte St Ashfield - 1
minute from Ashfield railway station 
       
SIX ROUNDS: Time limit of ninety minutes per player for the whole game.
Games will be rated.

ENQUIRIES: Charles Zworestine 95563960(h) or mobile 0414597407.

ROUND TIMES: Saturday 14th August - Round 1 at 11am, then 2:30pm, 6:00pm.
Sunday 15th August - Round 4 at 11am, then 2:30pm, and 6:00pm.

PRIZES: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, plus U1800, U1600 and U1400 for rated players, best
unrated & best junior prizes. (Unrated prize subject to sufficient number
of entries). Players are eligible for only one prize. Prizes will be pooled
and divided equally in case of ties.

ENTRY FEES: $40 normal, $32 juniors under 18 and $20 juniors under 14.

ENTRIES TO: NSW Chess Association  PO Box 2418, GPO Sydney NSW 2001

Smoking is not allowed in the playing area. All NSW-resident players must
be members of the NSWCA or the NSWJCL. This will be a great tournament!
Come and play - and enjoy!!
 
1999 NEW SOUTH WALES STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!
 
This year this Premier Chess Tournament for NSW is being held in the
Geographical Centre of Sydney in the Auditorium/Function Rooms Area, on
Level 1 of Burwood RSL Club, 96 Shaftsbury Road, Burwood [running parallel
to Burwood Road] within easy walking distance of Burwood Railway Station.
The RSL Club has ample underground parking for 175 Cars and excellent
Bar/Restaurant/Bistro/Coffee Shop Facilities available for visitors at
reasonable prices. The Club Management requests that patrons be clean, neat
and tidily dressed in accordance with the Club's Dress Code and smart
casual wear is recommended.

Chess players not travelling by public transport please note that the Club
is well within one hour's driving distance from most suburbs of Sydney.

A minimum prize fund of $3,500 is guaranteed by the NSWCA.
 
Title Event: 1st $1,000 2nd $500 3rd $200 Under 2,000 $100
 
Under 1,800 Event: 1st $500 2nd $250 3rd $150 Under 1,700 $100
  Under 1,600 $100
 
Under 1,500 Event: 1st $500 2nd $250 3rd $150 Under 1,400 $100
 
Sessions    6.30pm - 11.30pm
Round 1 Sunday 22 August
Round 2 Sunday 5 September
Round 3 Sunday 12 September
Round 4 Sunday 19 September
 
6.00pm - 11.00pm
Round 5 Sunday 26 September
Round 6 Sunday 10 October
Round 7 Sunday 17 October
Round 8 Sunday 24 October
Round 9 Sunday 7 November
 
Rate of Play
 
30 moves in 90 minutes, then 1 hour to finish (Rate of play recommended by
FIDE for 5 hour sessions).

Entry Fees
Open: $90 Adults, Juniors Under 18 $74, Under 14 $50.
Other two tournaments: $70 Adults, Juniors Under 18 $58, Under 14 $40.
  A $10 discount applies to entries received by 13 August.
 
Enquires: Charles Zworestine 9556 3960 or mobile 0414 597 407.
 
Smoking is not allowed in the playing area.
 
All players must be or become members of the NSWCA or NSWJCL.
 
Entries to NSW Chess Association: Post Office Box 2418, GPO Sydney, NSW 2001.
 
Please send your entry no later than 13 August 1999.
 
Final entries close on 20 August 1999     No entries will be taken on the day
 
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
 
The Annual National Conference will be held at the Mingara Club, NSW
Central Coast, during the Australian Championships, at 10am on Thursday 6
January 2000.
 
WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The Chess Federation of Moldova has requested permission from FIDE to
postpone the Women's World Chess Championship. Website for this event is
http://www.chess.mnc.md
 
KASPAROV SCHOOLS ARTICLE
 
I've dragged this article straight off Kasparov's page because it reflects
my attitude as to what we need to be doing in this country regarding the
development of junior chess. I hope all State Chess Associations make it
their number one priority to develop junior chess especially in the schools
and that all individuals try and do something on a regular basis to develop
and promote junior chess. My experience is that those involved get at least
as much out of it as they put in (in most cases, probably more).
 
A Look at Chess in the Public Schools

A growing effort on the part of educators and chess enthusiasts to
integrate chess into the scholastic experience in this country has led to a
veritable explosion in the ranks of young chess players, particularly at
the elementary and middle school level. And this effort is motivated by far
more than an effort to provide children with a few hours of recreational
diversion. Ollie LaFreniere, the Washington Chess Federation's statewide
Coordinator for Scholastic Chess, said in a Seattle Post-Intelligencer
interview on May 31, "Chess is the single most powerful educational tool we
have at the moment, and many school administrators are realizing that."
Research shows links between chess skill and improved reading and math
scores, problem-solving ability, concentration, courtesy, responsibility
and self-esteem - see the Chess In Education Research Summary published by
the American Chess School.

World Champion Garry Kasparov has tirelessly promoted chess in schools
around the world. He is firmly convinced that the future of chess depends
upon encouraging children to learn the game, and providing talented young
players with the best opportunities to develop their skills. Let's visit a
school in California where chess playing is strongly supported.

At the R.L. Stevens Elementary School in Santa Rosa, CA., Keith Halonen, an
illustrator and noted artist whose work has appeared in Chess Life Magazine
and on the cover of Queen's Gambit Accepted (Chess Digest, 1995), teaches
chess part-time at the Dolphin Kings, the school's chess club. In six
one-hour sessions, Keith begins by teaching kids the rules of play and how
the pieces move, attack, and capture. Then he teaches elementary chess
tactics such as forking, pinning, castling, en passant and discovered
check. Each lesson lasts 40 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of playing.
Keith says his main desire is to make the game as entertaining as possible
for the kids.

As they learn the rules and tactics, Keith explains the origins of the game
in ancient Persia and India, how the pieces got their names, how it reached
North America 50 years before Columbus. He tells them that Aladdin was a
real person and the world's strongest chess player in 1385 AD, and that "en
passant" evolved out of disagreements between Italian and French players in
the 15th century.

Irina Krush, one of the Kasparov vs. The World event's Chess Analysts, has
inspired Keith's classes for years - since she was 12. "She demonstrates to
my students the possibility of making significant achievements even at an
early age," says Halonen, "and that young people are not necessarily
inferior to or less capable than adults. Irina proves that girls are in no
way "chess-challenged" compared to boys." Having taught over 1,000
beginning players in grades 4 - 6 during the past six years, Halonen is
known as "Mr. Chess." "I imbue my classes with such drama that they rarely
forget me." he says.

Halonen uses many examples from the world of chess to help children see
that which is often unimaginable to them - getting from here to there.
"There is a path. It is not always clear, but it definitely is there." he
says. "The movie "Searching for Bobby Fischer" is fresh enough in the minds
of many kids to make their eyes open wide when I show them Josh Waitzkin's
book, Attacking Chess. One day Halonen saw one of his former students
carrying a 300-page chess book. "That was my happiest moment," he said.

Kathy Huffstutter, the Library Manager and Chess Club Coordinator at the
R.L. Stevens School, started the Dolphin Kings in 1992 with school district
funding which is no longer available. The club, with over 60 student
members, now depends on fundraising events. Community support has been
strong: adults from all walks of life including chess masters and one GM
regularly volunteer to teach and play chess with student club members. One
day, Huffstutter said, a kindergartner named Rodrigo walked into her office
and pleaded with her to let him join the Kings. He repeated the request
every year until he reached fourth grade, when he became Vice-President of
the Dolphin Kings and won first place in the city-wide Santa Rosa Chess
Tournament. "When a student can win games against a more experienced player
using sound chess principles, his self-esteem just rockets!' says
Huffstutter. "And it begins to show in other academic areas - the chess
students seem to 'walk taller.' When I see that, I know that everything I
am doing in the chess club has value that cannot be measured."

This story of personal growth through chess is being repeated across the
country. New York City's Chess in the Schools program is the largest of its
kind in the United States, with over 10,000 students enrolled in 135 inner
city schools. Created in 1986 by Mobil executive Faneuil Adams, Jr. (now
President of Chess in the Schools) and Bruce Pandolfini, its original
mission was to bring chess to inner city schools. Scholastic performance
improved so much during the first few years that the project grew into a
foundation with a full-time staff. How does it work?

Chess materials - personal boards and pieces for each student, a classroom
demonstration board, PC software and a beginner's library - as well as
Instructors are provided by Chess in the Schools. Teachers who volunteer as
Chess Coaches, students and classrooms are provided by the schools. Chess
Instructors recruited yearly and trained in educational methods visit each
school once a week for 15 weeks (which might be extended to 35) where they
teach chess fundamentals and provide encouragement. Since kids often need
to repeat lessons, Instructors' patience and commitment are key ingredients
for success.

Theresa Easton, a teacher and Chess Coach at CIS 229 in the Bronx, holds
her classes at 7 A.M. on weekdays and for 3 hours on Saturday mornings.
"The kids love it." she says. Games between inner city and affluent schools
are organized, and the half-dozen tournaments each year feature a
round-robin format with 6 kids at each table. Prizes include hats, chess
books and trophies for the top three contestants.

Chess in the Schools students consistenly place in the top 10 in national
elementary school, junior and senior high school tournaments. To celebrate
the 10th anniversary of the program, a special tournament for 12 of the
world's top players was held at the Downtown Athletic Club. Visiting chess
masters guided students through each move of each game, and introduced them
to the world of international-level chess.

At a cost of under $100 per year per student, this is one investment to
write home about. And it proves that chess is for everyone. Play on!
--Art Fazakas
 
DISCUSSION ITEMS
 
There was very little feedback on the question of reasons for declining
numbers in clubs. Does this mean we are satisfied with our performance or
does it mean we simply have no answers?
 
Just a short checklist of items from the USCF publication "Guide to a
successful chess club".
 
Publicise the club effectively
Club newsletter
Club internet site
Club ladder
Mandatory opening or gambit tournaments
One night tournaments
Team tournaments
Mix up time controls
Club Championship
Make players feel welcome!
Problem solving contests
Social breaks!
Consultation games
Attractive venue
Availability of appropriate refreshments
Inter club visits
Simultaneous exhibitions
Chessathon etc etc
 
Do you publicise effectively, do you mix things up and do you make the club
nights fun places to be?
 
Your contributions on how to increase numbers at clubs around Australia
would be appreciated.
 
There are two more items for discussion this week:
 
1. National sponsor for Australian chess
 
During my tour of Australia numerous ideas were put forward for a national
sponsor. I pointed out that Cepacol and Mercentile Mutual were mainly
philanthropy, only partly sponsorship because they were only receiving
partial value for their sponsorship dollar. These days most sponsors want
measurable product sales in addition to corporate exposure. Therefore I
believe we are looking for a national sponsor with great synergy with chess
with the possibility of increasing product sales through their involvement
with chess.
 
The suggestions I received during the trip were:
 
Cadbury Schweppes, Caravel Clothing, Prior Education, Learning Performance
Seminars, Visy Industries, Computer companies, product which is unhealthy
(eg Vegemite), Banks, Stockbroking company, Australian Stock Exchange CHESS
computer trading programme, Sony Play Station, Mutual Community Health
Fund, Internet service companies, Chess transport company.
 
Various suggestions were also made re possible philanthropists.
 
If you have a suggestion re a possible national sponsor for chess at the
$100,000 pa level (guaranteed for 5 years) please let me know. Even more so
if you can arrange a personal introduction.
 
2. Travel Equalisation Scheme
 
Remote states like Western Australia have more difficulty financially in
attending national events than other states. The idea of a travel
equalisation scheme has been put forward whereby the states with lower
travel costs would kick in funds to make the cost burden more equitable
amongst all involved.
 
I'd appreciate correspondence on whether you think this is a good idea and
if so, how you think this would best work in practice.
 
CORRESPONDENCE
 
CATHY CHUA:

I am appalled at John Smith's suggestion that chess take up bridge's system
of marketing ratings. What one sells one cannot take away - ie bridge
masterpoints are completely meaningless - they provide literally no measure
of anything to do with skill in bridge. It is true that they provide the
enormous income that bridge has and chess does not. But that is at least
part of the reason that bridge has no integrity in the world
at large whereas chess does. Don't change!

Re suggestion that the MCC should sell itself and give the profits to the
ACF. I hope this grand institution survives the next millennium. The ACF in
any case is in an invidious position. I imagine anybody thinking of
supporting such an ambitious financial mission would find it hard to trust
the national body based on history. It is behaving in a vigorous way just
now but what are the long term prospects? I hope better than in
the past. I don't mean to be a gloom merchant, but for the ACF to be
critical of a survivor like the MCC is rather insulting...

Love the bulletin and the lively exchanges,

ASHLEY RAMBUKWELLA:

 Firstly, congratulations on recent achievements on getting chess
recognised as a sport, and good luck with the Federal budget. Also on
setting a national development program. These achievements tend to go by
with little thanks for the efforts of the ACF, so well done.
 
But the real reason for this missive was generated by the recent email
newsletter, so here goes.
 
A comment on club chess not being fun - Club chess these days means
tournament. I like to play social games at a chess club, not tournament,
and to talk during the games. Inevitably someone turns up to play a
tournament game, talking is banned, and there is no social joy to chess...I
don't know if this is a common issue.
 
Also some brickbats on the national magazine. It needs to recognise chess
players! The purpose of local tournament reports and photographs of the
players is to get people to recognise one another and acknowledge each
other's achievements. Without this there is no point. Kudos to Depasquale
and Solomon for their contributions but the rest of the magazine is almost
totally useless (and the NSW tournament calendar was the 1998, not 1999,
year!).
 
I suggest an editorial policy that includes a suitable number of photos of
chess players, with captions that correctly identify who they are. The
responsibility for chasing these down lies with the editors, it is not
difficult to get people to take group photos during tournaments and send
them in, but it's not spontaneous.

Best wishes to all
 
Graeme Gardiner

 





_____________________________________________________________________
Wendy Gardiner
290 Worongary Road, Worongary, Queensland 4213, Australia
Phone/fax +61 7 5530 5794; Email w.gardiner@mailbox.uq.edu.au;
E-fax via the US (603) 947-8543
_____________________________________________________________________