ACF Bulletin No. 81 - 3 September 2000 SYDNEY OLYMPICS PROMOTION The ACF is trying to do all it can to assist FIDE in putting on this promotion. However, it is a little frustrating not having control over events. FIDE and the IOC have canned the Darling Harbour promotion on Tuesday 26th September. The invitation only event at the Olympic Village will now be at 3pm on Monday 25th to avoid a clash with the anticipated Cathy Freeman final. We are now trying to organise a visit or two by Anand/Shirov to local chess clubs in order that the local chess community can be involved. ********** ACF UNOFFICIAL EMAIL GROUPS On my trip around Australia it was suggested to me that I list the groups and the convenors so here they are: Coaching BRETT TINDALL Ratings BILL GLETSOS <76702.3153@compuserve.com> Universities GRAEME GARDINER If you would like to be involved in any of these groups please contact the relevant convenor. ********** INSURANCE DEAL FOR STATES AND CLUBS I'm pleased to advise that the ACF has taken out a special insurance policy that not only covers the ACF but also allows any state or club that wishes to be added on at a very reasonable cost. The policy covers any type of ACF, state or club event including meetings, social days, tournaments, shopping centre events etc. The policy has been issued through CHRIS ZUCCALA, Vicwide Insurance Brokers with the following details: Public and Products Liability Insurance Limits of Indemnity: Public Liability $10,000,000 any one occurrence Products Liability $10,000,000 any one period of insurance Tenants Fire Liability $10,000,000 any one occurrence Premium: ACF $484 States $303 each Clubs with 100 or more members $242 per club Clubs with 50 to less than 100 members $182 per club Clubs with less than 50 members $121 per club Territorial Limits: Anywhere in Australia Excess: $250 for property damage claims only Insurer: Lumley General Insurance The above premiums include all charges (incl GST and Brokers Fee) All clubs, whether incorporated or not, would be most unwise not to have this kind of insurance. These days a minimum level of insurance is $5,000,000. I'm advised that $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 would be totally inadequate. To take advantage of this special offer, all you need to do is email NORM GREENWOOD with the following details: Name of club, number of current members, main meeting venue (if any), incorporated or unincorporated, any previous liability incidents, contact name/address/phone/fax/email, interested parties to be noted on policy (if any). You will then be contacted directly by the insurer, Chris Zuccala, who will advise you of the pro rata premium to pay to the common renewal date (31 August). If you wish to contact Chris Zuccala direct please do so on email vicwide@hotmail.com or phone 03 9569 1569 or fax 03 9569 1515. ********** OLYMPIAD APPEAL The following donations totalling $4,320.75 have been received to date: Accola, Tom 50.00 ACTCA - Proceeds of Raffle, etc. 425.75 Brockman, Roland 50.00 Byrne, Mike 150.00 Christian, David 25.00 City of Redcliffe Chess Club 100.00 Eagan, Bill 50.00 Farleigh, Richard 1,000.00 Gardiner, Graeme 300.00 Gold Coast Chess Club 400.00 Jessop, Denis 50.00 Ledger, Neville 100.00 NSWCA Members 320.00 Raine, Marcus 80.00 Safarian, Alek 100.00 Suncoast Chess Club 300.00 NSWCA 720.00 Stokes, Prof R H 100.00 Please could I ask states, clubs and individuals to support this appeal immediately, as generously as you are able. All pledges (not included above) need to be paid as a matter of urgency in order that the level of support for each individual can be calculated. Our elite national teams deserve our support. Please act now and send your donation to the ACF Treasurer NORM GREENWOOD, Unit 15, Horizon Towers, 208 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077. Alternatively please advise of your pledge to me at ********** ELECTION OF NEW ACF EXECUTIVE - LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE BEFORE DEADLINE A new ACF executive will be elected at the national conference to be held in Canberra on 7 January. The ACF Constitution requires 120 days notice of nominations for the new executive. According to my calculations this means nominations need to be into me by next Saturday 9 September. Please feel free to send in a nomination for the entire executive (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) or just for one position if you are available to be included on someone else's ticket. ********** GRAND PRIX Upcoming events: September 9-10 Gold Coast Classic, Somerset College, Cat 3, GRAEME GARDINER 07 5530 3777 September 30- October 1 Lidums Cup, South Australian Chess Centre, 10 Ranelagh Street, Adelaide, Cat 1, CHESS CENTRE 08 8211 7189 October 7-8 Redcliffe Challenge, Clontarf High School, Cat 1, NORM BRAYBROOKE 0418 716374 October 14-15 Geelong Open, Venue to be advised, Cat to be advised, STEPHEN MCKENZIE 03 5222 4524 October 21-22 Coal City Open, Cardiff Workers Club, Cat 2, GEORGE LITHGOW 02 4943 3862 October 28-29 Tweed Heads Open, Tweed Heads Civic Centre, Cat 3, AUDIE PENNEFATHER 07 5536 9185 October 28-29 Ctrl Coast Weekender, Central Coast Leagues Club, Cat 1, KEITH FARRELL 02 4341 7864 Just a reminder to tournament organisers that it is imperative to get full results with juniors and females clearly marked to INGRID THOMPSON immediately after each event. ********** YANCHEP/TWO ROCKS, WA ALLEGRO TOURNAMENT SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER Venue: Yanchep/Two Rocks Recreation Centre (Lower Hall), Charnwood Reserve, Lisford Avenue, Two Rocks. Prizes: 1st $150, 2nd $80, 3rd $50, 4th $30, 5th $20 plus $100 in rating prizes. Separate senior, novice and junior (under 18) tournaments subject to entries. Entry Fee (Including buffet tea): Seniors $24, Juniors $20, Family (Adult plus one junior) $40, Family (Adult and two juniors) $56. A player's spouse, partner or parent may attend the buffet tea for $13. Closing Date: 5 October. Late entries on the day up to 9.30am extra fee $3. Rate of Play: 15 mins a side. 9 Rounds 10am, 10.35am, 11.10am, 11.45am, 1.30pm, 2.05pm, 2.40pm, 3.15pm, 4.00pm. Swiss Perfect pairings being used. Entries to: BOB PILGRIM 14 Band Street, Lathlain 6100 (08 9361 4508). ********** AUSTRALIAN CENTENARY CHESS FESTIVAL UPDATE: AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2001 28 December 2000 - 09 January 2001 Seven confirmed Grandmaster entries: GM IAN ROGERS (AUSTRALIA - 2558) GM DARRYL JOHANSEN (AUSTRALIA - 2505) GM UTUT ADIANTO (INDONESIA - 2583) GM YURI YAKOVICH (RUSSIA - 2585) GM ALEXANDER VOLZHIN (RUSSIA - 2556) GM GORAN TODOROVIC (YUGOSLAVIA - 2455) GM H. ARDIANSYAH (INDONESIA - 2421) In excess of 10 International Master entries are also expected and the opportunity for IM and GM norm results will be very good. All above players have confirmed and the latter five have been sent formal letters of invitation for visa purposes and I am just awaiting a response on their progress in this regard. More updates will be posted as they come to hand (especially on participation of IMs - please get back to me if you have received my letter of invitation). The Open has a guaranteed minimum prize fund of $11,300. However, there is much for the club-strength player too. There are generous ratings prizes in the Open in many different categories, offering all players a great chance to win a prize. Those who cannot commit to two weeks of the Open due to work commitments for example, can play in one of the U/1600 Minor and U/2000 Repechage shorter events, to take place between 28-31 December 2000 (Thurs-Sun) and 2-7 January (Tues-Sun) respectively. Both events offer excellent prize money for the club strength player, with a prize fund of over $5,000 for these two events bringing the minimum prize fund for all events to over $16,000 in total and over $20,000 in total if entries match the budget estimates. The smaller events are a good chance for players to participate in the festival in some way, even if they cannot play in the Open itself. Players in the Open can also enter the U/2000 Repechage (rounds are in the mornings). Newsletter: Also, those receiving the next edition of Australian Chess Forum will also be getting a newsletter, "ChessACTion", giving full details of the event and also containing an entry form. The newsletter will be monthly, with the next edition giving full details of the Australian Juniors. Others throughout Australia will also receive this newsletter and other information through mailing lists in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. If you are not on any of these distribution lists you can request a copy via email (andrew.greenwood@anu.edu.au). Accommodation: Excellent accommodation at the venue, Rydges Canberra is available for a much reduced rate of $130/night per room (inc GST) with full breakfast included. Contact number is (02) 6247-6244. Good value accommodation is also available at Rydges Eaglehawk: Rydges Resort Eagle Hawk Hill Federal Hwy North ACT/NSW Border Phone: (02) 6241-6033 Suite accommodation is available from $70 at a weekly rate with each suite (depending on type) sleeping between 4-8 people. Rydges bookings can be made online at http://www.rydges.com.au A full list of accommodation options is available at: http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/austaccom.html When booking, quote rates for the "Centenary Chess Festival". Early bookings are recommended. Accommodation queries should be directed to EVELYN FITZPATRICK: Arbiters: Chief Arbiter: SHAUN PRESS Deputy Arbiters: CHARLES ZWORESTINE, IAN MURRAY with the other selected position yet to be finalised Appeals Chair: CATHY ROGERS Juniors: The venue for the Australian Junior Championships has been changed to the Hellenic Club, Matilda St, Phillip. The new venue is now on the main bus route, which will make transportation to and from the city very easy. The organisers will release further details shortly, however any questions can be directed to DEBORAH POULTON: . ANDREW GREENWOOD, Australian Centenary Chess Festival, PO Box 470, Erindale Centre ACT 2903, Tel. 0403-191-777, Fax. 02-6291-0385, andrew.greenwood@anu.edu.au, http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary ********** 2000/2001 WORLD SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP The inaugural World Scholastic Chess Championship was a fantastic success. Even better, an Australian school (Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane) qualified for the final, and their team was flown to New York! The 2000/2001 WSCC will commence in September/October. This note is to alert you to the fact that on-line registration is now available at KasparovChess.com. Simply go to that site, and on the front page is a directory to WSCC, and a sub-directory to register on-line. If you have problems, or need further information, please contact me. Good luck! CHRIS DEPASQUALE, Oceania Regional Coordinator, KasparovChess.com, Phone +61 8 8952 8220, Fax +61 8 8952 0686, Email agechess@ozemail.com.au The following was also received from the WSCC team: We are happy to inform you that the online registration of the World School Chess Championships 2000-2001 is now open. It has never been easier to register for the WSCC. There are 3 steps the coach/team coordinator need to follow, please read these instructions carefully and then click on the link to enter the registration lobby: http://www.KasparovChess.com/serve/templates/wscc/register/default.asp?p_fol derID=473 Step 1: Register your school. You'll need to fill in the school details your time zone and your local time (make sure you enter the schedule hours in 24:00 hours format - 2pm is 14:00) Enter the team coordinator details (this is the person who we will contact during the tournament, it could be the team's coach, parent or teacher). After that you will receive an e-mail with your user name and password. In this message there will be a link you must click on in order to confirm you've received the e-mail. Step 2: Register your team. Note that you may register your team at any time and you may register more than one team for the same school. If the coach is the team coordinator use the checkbox next to coach's details. After team registration you will receive the e-mail with the list of all team players' usernames and passwords. Print the list and keep it available for future matches. Without the usernames your players will not be able to enter to the Playing Zone of the WSCC! Step 3: Print the registration summary, have it sign by the authorized school official/Authorized School Administrator and send it to one of the fax numbers on the top. Your team will be accepted to the World School Chess Championship ONLY upon our receiving of your signed application. Please refer to the WSCC web site for more information http://www.kasparovchess.com/wscc. We hope to see your team as a part of the World School Chess Championships. ********** CORRESPONDENCE SOLARIS WHITESAIL: I am an amateur club player, living and working in Sydney. Today at lunch I wandered over to the Hyde Park chess players. Currently the chess court yard is undergoing some upgrade of facilities - I presume for the Olympics. Play was reduced to a couple a boards provided by the players themselves. Plus it was a little chilly today, so maybe some players stayed at home, nice and warm. When was the last time you visited a place like that? Did you notice the people there? Most of the players appear to be retired, (especially European gentlemen) or else seemingly unemployed types. But every so often a businessman, (in tie, pressed trousers and shirt and maybe a jacket) wander through. The businessmen are not just there to get away from office humdrum, but like myself - wish to glance at the game of kings. To see the combinations and witness the sacrifices. This is about the only venue in Sydney were players meet. No, I am not suggesting that the ACF organise some sort of off-street venue, even if it would have interest to overseas visitors during the Olympics. It's more humble than that. I wondered why there was no corporate chess tournament. Here at the Hyde Park are chess players who understand the game and the fact that they make an effort to see a game. In Sydney, you know they have things like Corporate Volleyball, Touch Football and Cricket. Guess what else, businesses have their own venues - they can host rounds. I wonder how much support it would receive? So, I ask you - does it interest the ACF to create and foster such a tournament? I'd certainly have a word around my company, should such a tournament exist. BRUCE HARRIS: I disagree with Jonathan Sarfati's comment that the various tie-break systems don't have "any more merit than a toss of a coin". I know tie breaks are unpopular with many players, but thought this was largely because they seem a bit arbitrary, and players in general don't understand them. Being aware of Jonathan's stature in scientific circles, having had articles published in the prestigious journal Nature, I'm not about to accuse him of a failure to understand. But I disagree with him. Jonathan was commenting on Richard Thorne's letter, and I agree with one of the latter's original claims, that tie breaks are "flawed where all play all". But in a Swiss tournament with a biggish turnout, it's blatantly obvious that a particular score can be hard won or easily won. The tie-break systems all attempt to make some measure of the strength of the opposition encountered in securing that score, and as such have enormous merit. To state, for example, that a tie break system based on average rating of opposition has no more merit than a coin toss, is equivalent to stating that ratings are meaningless. As for the alternative of a lightning playoff, I would reckon this to be more unfair than a tie-break. It suffers the following flaws: 1. Skill at speed chess may be highly correlated to skill at slow chess, but it remains a different animal. If a tournament is played at a particular pace, say 90 minutes per side, then to determine the winner based on a 5-minute playoff is grossly unfair. 2. Unless you introduce even more artificial elements, such as the "White gets 5 minutes, Black 4, and a draw is counted as a win to Black" - (or was it the other way around?) - then you still have no guarantee of a result. They could go on alternating wins all night. And if you introduce ever-diminishing time limits, then you're really getting into coin-toss territory. 3. From the practical viewpoint, at the end of a tournament a lot of players have to catch a train, get to the pub before closing time or whatever, and the unpaid organisers also have a right to expect to be able to go home. For some purposes, I'd accept that sharing is the way to go. But for most, given that we're not talking sheep stations here, I reckon the tie-break system is better. The precise system to be used should be mentioned by name on the registration form, and a full exposition of how it works displayed prominently at the venue. BOBBY ANG: The following was forwarded by Bobby Ang of the Philippines: Teheran 26 August 2000 The World Chess Federation (FIDE) Presidential Board, meeting 26-27 August in Teheran, Iran, accepted the application for affiliation of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by GM Eugene Torre. FIDE was guided by the Philippine Olympic Committee recognition of the NCFP and withdrew FIDE recognition from the Philippine Chess Federation. The Board unanimously approved the motion of FIDE President Kirsan Ilymzhinov of Rusia to support the proposal of Zone President Ignatius Leong of Singapore and Asian Continental President for Asia Khalifa Al Hitmi of Qatar to accept the National Chess Federation of the Philippines as the sole FIDE affiliate in the Philippines. Speaking in Russian, Ilyumzhinov said "We should consider three points. FIDE is an organization for players, not for bureaucrats. The main aim is to reflect the interest of the players. Secondly, FIDE has to conform to the International Olympic Committee, as approved by the 1999 FIDE Congress in Doha, Qatar." "We have started new formats, attracted many more players to our ranks. FIDE is an organization of grassroots players. The decision of 20th June 1999 by the IOC to recognize chess as sport should spread to all other organizations. The new National Chess Federation of the Philippines includes all stars of Philippine chess. It shows that the old federation does not reflect the interests of the players. These chess players progressed further than the old federation. "The letter of the old Philippine Chess Federation only informs us of their misunderstanding with Mr. Campomanes. They contradict themselves by saying that we should not interfere in their internal problems but they try to involve us in their internal problems. We all know the golden rule not to interfere in internal problems. But we should not let them drag us into their internal problems. "Only the new federation reflects the interests of players and has the recognition of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Our new goal is to become an Olympic sport. If the Philippine Olympic Committee recognizes them, FIDE should follow suit. "Two years ago I sent circulars to national federations urging them to support FIDE's bid to join the Olympic Movement by obtaining recognition from their National Olympic Committees. It was hard for me to understand why the Philippines could not obtain Philippine Olympic Committee recognition when their country is famous for chess greats such as Torre, Antonio and Campomanes. "I propose for the Presidential Board and General Assembly that we should reconsider all national federations that are members of FIDE. As an International Sports Federation recognized by the IOC, FIDE should recognize only those who are members of the NOC. "We should inform all federations of the proposal and we should task them to bring NOC recognition as Torre did. Even if we become fewer, we shall be confident that these federations are in full accord with the NOC. This will accelerate the acceptance of chess as an Olympic sport. "I visited many countries and heads of NOC's and some of them are not even aware of the existence of their chess federation. Amendments should be made to our statutes. "Thirdly, the Philippine Chess Federation was brought to FIDE by Mr. Campomanes in 1956. He is the father of their chess federation. Now he brought with him, at the age of 73, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, his second child to FIDE," Ilyumzhinov concluded. The NCFP application, signed by GM Torre, was hand-carried to Tehran by Florencio Campomanes, FIDE Honorary President. After a revealing discussion, the FIDE Presidential Board unanimously approved the motion by FIDE President Ilyumzhinov to accept the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. The meeting was well attended by world chess leaders and opened by Islamic Republic of Iran Vice President Hashemi Taba. FIDE Treasurer David Jarrett of England pointed out that, in the past four years, only one tournament was reported for FIDE rating by the old Philippine Chess Federation, a sign of low level of technical efficiency. Asian Continental President Al-Hitmi expressed surprise that a country of the stature of the Philippines has comparatively few FIDE rated players. FIDE Rating Administrator Toti Abundo of the Philippines confirmed this fact and supported the NCFP application. The National Chess Federation of the Philippines was recognized on August 23, 2000 by the Philippine Olympic Committee. Go Teng Kok, head of the POC membership committee, endorsed the NCFP application to the Executive Board which unanimously gave its nod. In a letter to GM Torre, POC Secretary General Romeo Ribano stated "We appreciate your intention to be part of the POC and of the Olympic Movement as we believe that chess is a sport that enjoys maximum popularity in the country." In a letter to FIDE President Kirsan Ilyhumzhinov, Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso I. Dayrit stated "The creation of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of our only three grandmasters: Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Buenaventura Villamayor is a welcome development that will surely fill the void, and will give great impetus to Philippine chess and its involvement in the Olympic Movement. The recognition of the NCFP in the POC will contribute to the grand efforts of FIDE under your leadership to secure final and full acceptance of the world chess body in the International Olympic Committee." *Note: I (Graeme Gardiner) have written to the FIDE Executive Director regarding my concerns about the following paragraph from the above: "I propose for the Presidential Board and General Assembly that we should reconsider all national federations that are members of FIDE. As an International Sports Federation recognized by the IOC, FIDE should recognize only those who are members of the NOC." The ACF will continue to make representations to have chess recognised by both the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Olympic Committee. ********** Best wishes to all Graeme Gardiner Somerset College enforces strict policies on accepting incoming e-mail and attachments. All e-mail is scanned and non business related attachments are deleted without notification to sender or recipient.