ACF Bulletin No. 28 - August 1, 1999

EMAIL ADDRESSES
 
If you are aware of anyone involved in chess who has an email address but
doesn't receive these bulletins, and perhaps would like to, please let me
know so that we can further improve communication. If you do not already
know, the Australian Chess Federation webpage is at
http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/chess/
 
SWISS PERFECT
 
We are now up to 38 clubs in Australia with Swiss Pairings licences. I'm
keen for more clubs to take up the free ACF offer especially in remote
states like WA. All you have to do is email me and Robert Rozycki will send
you a download password within a couple of days.
 
AUSTRALIAN JUNIORS 12-24 JANUARY 2000
 
Gary Wastell advises that he expects a decision in a few days - the City of
Morwell will be making a final decision re sponsorship tomorrow (Monday 2
August).
 
INSIDE SPORT ARTICLE
 
The August issue of Inside Sport contains a two page article on Zong Yuan
Zhao, written during the Doeberl Cup at Canberra last Easter. See pp 32/33.
 
CHESS IN SCHOOLS PROJECT
 
Clive Lane from NSW has written me this very encouraging letter:

Dear Graeme,
I am emailing you because I want to assist in some small way in the
development of chess in schools. I am a 49 year old Head Teacher
Administration at a high school in the western suburbs of Sydney and have
been an active player in the range 1500-1750 for the last 25 years.

I like the vision expressed in the ACF National Strategy and would like to
add something in the schools area. Specifically, I have been reading the
programs in American schools and the research into chess in education at
the website
http://www.zone.com/kasparov/chessinschool.asp and I think the time is
right for a proposal for a 'Chess in the Schools' project in NSW schools.
This would be to develop chess as an educational tool WITHIN the
curriculum, working hand in hand with the NSW Inter School Competition,
with the Australian Schools Teams Championships, and with the Schools
Internet competition.
 
I would not wish to step on anyone's toes here and I have already spoken
with Margaret Cuckson of the NSWJCA to make sure it is OK with them and to
seek their support. If anyone else is currently preparing such a proposal
(you may have already developed this in Queensland!) for submission to a
state Curriculum Branch or Education Minister then I am quite happy to
withdraw.
 
What do you think? Do you have access to any more research regarding chess
as an educational tool in the curriculum? It seems to me that a solid case
could be mounted for the development of teaching modules which could be
trialled in selected schools and then made available to all schools. The
argument would go something like:
 
Chess is cheap to resource - proven to assist in cognitive development
(particularly in the maths area) - Internet and technology friendly - a
developer of positive social skills.
 
Clive goes on to say in a later email:
 
Since Kasparov is "tirelessly promoting chess in schools around the world"
and is "firmly convinced that the future of chess depends upon encouraging
children to learn the game". (Kasaparov vs. The World website), what do you
think the chances are of him dropping in to Australia (perhaps en route to
somewhere else) for a few days next year to support such a program? After
all, Sydney - Olympics City - it would be a pretty sexy
destination for a holiday and his presence (invited by Tim Fischer?) would
certainly dazzle a few Education ministers...
 
Clive will certainly have my full support in this matter and I'm sure he
would love to hear from anyone else who has been down this path or who
would like to be involved. His email address is: clivelane@hotmail.com.
 
ANU OPEN
 
Results: 1st= 6/7 Stuart Conquest, Stephen Solomon 3rd= 5.5/7 Gary Lane,
Ben Martin, Mark Chapman
 
CLUB AND STATE INSURANCE POLICIES
 
Our hard-working and innovative treasurer, Norm Greenwood, is busy getting
quotes for a national insurance policy with the aim of reducing the cost of
insurance to clubs (and, perhaps increasing cover). It would be most
helpful if several clubs/states who are interested in benefitting from
lower insurance costs could email Norm or myself with full details of your
club's existing policy, including type of policy (eg Public Liability or
Products Liability), level of cover (eg $5m), excess (if any), annual
premium, number of members, insurer and renewal date. Norm's email address
is: normg@bigpond.com.
 
EUROPEAN CHESS TOURNAMENT FOR MILITARY TEAMS
 
This event, which is being run by the Polish Chess Federation, will be held
in Zakopane, Poland from 10-20 November 1999. It will be a 14 round teams
event with board prizes plus an Individual Blitz event. It is open to
military teams worldwide.
 
Each team must comprise 6 players, 2 coaches and 2 representatives of the
Ministry of Defence. 5 players must be in active sevice or reserve regular
whilst the 6th can be a very good civilian player. The cost is US$45 per
day per player which includes accom, meals, transport and participation.
 
CHESS HANGOUTS

BILL TOMLINSON: Hi chess friends, I've created a list of public chess
hangouts all over the world so that a traveller can go anywhere and know
where the closest chess hangout might be. Parks, beaches, streets, cafes
and bookstores are on the list. There is no place where a membership fee is
required on the list. The info is available at
http://www.frazmtn.com/~dsheets/chessPage.html. If you know of any place
like that, I would love to hear from you. I will include you and your club
as the source of the information, if you would not mind. Thanks, Bill
 
P.S. So far I have nothing in Australia.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to let me know as well as Bill so that I
can keep a register of Australian hangouts. Bill Tomlinson's email address
bill@frazmtn.com and mine ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au

ITEMS FOR DEBATE
 
National Grand Prix
 
I think the Grand Prix series has an important part to play in the future
of Australian chess. Apart from sponsorship it probably could do with some
fresh ideas to make it more appealing to club organisers and players of all
levels. I'm hoping that club organisers are already planning major
millennium events and it would be most helpful to receive ideas on how we
can improve the Grand Prix.
 
National Universities Competition
 
Chess activity in universities is at an all time low. I welcome ideas on
how this can be turned around because we have already identified that there
is an alarming drop off in late high school and university age players. I
would like to suggest that at the very least we implement a national
universities competition as part of IV (Inter Varsity) Week. University
students nationwide love to attend IV Week partly for the sporting
competition and partly for the social life (booze ups). University students
are universally poor and an attractive cash prize may well provide the
incentive for uni teams to not only enter but also practice in an endeavour
to win. Perhaps I'm being a bit simplistic but I'd welcome ideas on what we
have to do to get an active chess scene in Australian universities.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN LAS VEGAS
 
These got underway today with live coverage on the official site
http://www.worldfide.com/chess/
 
Unfortunately the Oceania representative, Vladimir Feldman, lost with the
white pieces.
 
[Event "World Chess Championship"] [Site "Las Vegas USA"] [Date
"1999.07.31"] [Round "1"] [White "V. Feldman"] [Black "B. Magem"] [Result
"0-1"] 1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. c5 Nbd7 6. b4 g6 7. h3 Qc7
8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Nh5 10. g4 g5 11. gxh5 gxh4 12. Rg1 Rh7 13. Nxh4 Rg7 14.
Rxg7 Bxg7 15. Nf5 Bf8 16. Ng3 Nf6 17. Qd2 e5 18. e4 Be6 19. dxe5 Nxe4 20.
Ngxe4 dxe4 21. Qd4 Bg7 22. Nxe4 Bxe5 23. Nd6+ Qxd6 24. Qxd6 Bxd6 25. cxd6
Kd7 26. f4 Kxd6 27. Kf2 a5 28. b5 cxb5 29. Bxb5 Rc8 30. Rd1+ Ke7 31. a4
Bxh3 32. Ke3 Rc5 33. Be2 Bd7 34. Rb1 Bc6 35. Kd4 Kd6 36. Bd1 b6 37. Be2 Kc7
38. Bc4 Rxh5 39. Bxf7 Rf5 40. Bb3 Rxf4+ 0-1

ASIAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
UNDER 10, 12 AND 14
 
These will be held in Ahmedabad, India from 15-25 December 1999
 
CORRESPONDENCE

JOHN SMITH:
In reference to my item on the ACF ratings. (repeated for convenience)

1.  Use the ACF ratings as a product, similar to Bridge Masterpoints. (For
example - charge a flat fee for all rated games, or, charge a fee in
proportion to the rating strength of the tournament, or some other method
of charging for ratings)

To clarify my initial message I did not intend to compare chess ratings to
Bridge masterpoints but to draw attention to the bridge model where revenue
is based on the rating/masterpoint process/system.

I do not propose a change in the way the current ratings are calculated or
used but that the revenue for the ACF be based on rated games.  This would
shift the responsibility from the state bodies funding the ACF, pushing the
cost down to the club and tournament level.  Any club or body would have
its tournaments rated with the cost of this built into the entry fee.  This
aspect is similar to bridge.  The revenue would then genuinely reflect the
level of chess activity in a region.  The fee would be paid at the time a
tournament is submitted for rating.

FRANK SOLOMON:
Remember that a bridge player's skill is measured by the amount  of Master
points accumulated, and is very accurate, whereas in  chess, a player's
rating is calculated by formula and is also accurate.  The systems cannot
be compared as you so obviously know.  Maybe the chess system needs some
revision whereby once you  become a GM or IM you will always remain a GM
and never  be relegated to an IM or lower. Some IM's around the world are
not worthy of their free entries to tournaments. I know this will  raise a
storm but does anyone want to comment on that point?  Maybe you want to,
Cathy [Chua]. And how about the Zonal fiasco?  It was quite ludicrous, all
those new FMs and some cannot  qualify for a State Championship. That sort
of situation would  never arise in Bridge, Cathy.  Enough said!

SHAUN PRESS:
Editor, Australian Chess Forum

RE: Ashley Rambukwella's comments on Australian Chess Forum

It is sometimes nice to receive a little criticism, as it makes a break
from the almost unstinting praise that Australian Chess Forum has received
since its inception (indeed even Paul and I aren't sure whether Australian
Chess Forum is the best Australian chess magazine ever, as Neville Ledger
has claimed). The main reason that the magazine doesn't carry lots of
photographs, or small local tournament reports is one of quality. While it
would be easy to fill the magazine with photos, social coverage,
advertisements etc, the main aim of the magazine was, and will be, to
publish chess games, educational articles, and reports. This policy enables
us to maintain a consistent standard of writing, by drawing on a pool of
proven performers. If anything, the low quality filler in the magazine is
provided by my own articles, in much the same way that historical articles
performed the same function in Australian Chess Forum's predecessor. The
quality of photographic reproduction is the other major reason we don't use
photos as our production methods would not do the originals justice. As for
our contributors GM Ian Rogers, IM Gary Lane, Ian Rout etc I will endeavour
to make them become better writers, going so far as to use your own
contributions to the now defunct Australian Chess Magazine as examples.

DAVID WATERHOUSE:
I wonder if you could fit in a piece about my "Australian Games" Chess CD.
I have put it together as a memento of three great events held in
Queensland this year.

The CD contains chess games in pgn format which play themselves out on a
board on your screen and totally in your control.  You can set the speed of
play and even  try out alternative moves.

The games covered include the best 400 games from the Australian Open on
the Sunshine Coast - Every game played at the Australian Juniors at Hervey
Bay and every game played at the Oceania Zonals on the Gold Coast.

The CD also includes the WinBoard program, necessary to activate the games.

The price of the CD is $18 including post and packing.

All who took part in the Hervey Bay Junior Championship, in particular,
might be interested in a CD featuring their games.  Special rates could be
available for 6 or more.

Payment should be send to:-
David Waterhouse, 10 Schwartz Street, Buderim, Queensland, 4556.

Best wishes

Graeme Gardiner




-------------------------------------------

Graeme Gardiner
President, Australian Chess Federation
C/- Somerset College, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba Q 4213
Phone 07 5530 3777 (w) 07 5530 5794 (h) Fax 07 5525 2676 (w)
Email: ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au    http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/chess/