ACF Bulletin No. 90 - 5th November 2000 Graeme Gardiner is away till 22nd December (trip to chess olympiad and well earned holiday) so this bulletin is being brought to you by the acting President, Robert Jamieson. *************** World Juniors - Oropesa 2000 By Jenni Oliver Everyone has already seen the results from Oropesa, but I would just to add some of my personal comments. David Smerdon was the standout success for the Australians this year. All credit has to go to him for the extremely mature way he approached his games. He was incredibly calm and focused and stayed that way all the way through. We were all of course disappointed for Yuan Zhao, but there are no easy games at this level and every point is fought for. He played his heart out (as did all the Australians), and there is always next year! Catherine Lip was another sad case - she had a fantastic tournament, with some really good results and was winning her last game, which would have put her on 7 out of 11. Unfortunately one miscalculation was enough to leave her on 6, but still a really good tournament for her. To me the highlight of the whole tournament was the way the kids cared about each other and supported each other. None of the older children would go to dinner, until the last Australian had finished playing and they hung around outside the playing hall, sometimes for hours. The team looked wonderful in their green and gold uniforms (thank-you Mona Lee) and between that and the koalas, kangaroos and platypuses, we were a high profile team. Gareth was on Spanish TV with his boxing kangaroo siting next to him on the table. The conditions at Oropesa were fairly bad. It is a 3rd rate resort in a second rate town. The playing hall was just appalling - 600 kids crammed into one hall (the U18's had their own room, which was better). The heat verged on sauna levels at times and there wasn't even a fan, let alone air-conditioning. Only two toilets (without basins for hand washing) were available. Fortunately Cathy Rogers was an arbiter, so the Australians were able to go to her to get permission to use the decent toilets at the swimming pool.! Another highlight was Peter Jovanovic's nefarious tendencies. Once you had finished playing, you had to leave the hall and not return. Peter had an absolute genius for infiltrating back into the hall, watching remaining games and bringing reports back to anxious supporters. Yuan Zhao tried the same thing, but was always apprehended and thrown out immediately. It was also wonderful to have both Cathy and Ian there. Cathy was a friendly face for the kids in the playing hall and Ian was there to support all team members. He seemed to spend the whole afternoon racing between the two playing halls. Always interested in all the kids and how they were doing. Thanks also to Tristan Reeves and Mikhail Gluzman, the other two coaches. On a personal level I will always be grateful for John Huddleston's skill with an egg lifter. Also to Manuel for carrying my suitcase down 11 flights of stairs after all electricity had blown in Oropesa and I was stranded without an elevator to get my luggage down! As long as the competition is held in Spain, Manuel is an essential part of the team. Without his contacts, life would have been much harder for the Australian team! The last day of the comp, was appalling with torrential rain, flooding and blackouts. The closing ceremony was cancelled and the Australians leaving by train struggled to get out, with the line cut between Valencia and Castellon. A major problem was lack of food, as there was no electricity in Oropesa and thus no food. We finally got on the train at 3pm, absolutely starving, only to find the restaurant car had run out of food as well. It was thus after 6 when we got to Barcelona that we finally were able to eat. An interesting end to the competition! *************** CHESS OLYMPIAD After 7 rounds Australia has 15.5 points out of 28. Individual scores are Rogers 2.5/5, Johansen 3/4, Wohl 2/4, West 2/5, Zhao 2.5/5 and Sandler 3.5/5. In the Womens Olympiad Australia has 9.5/21. Individual scores are Berezina 3/6, Koshnitsky 3/6, Dekic .5/5 and Moylan 3/4. I don't have any first hand reports from the Australian team, so instead publish a report by the controversial American journalist, Sam Sloan. ROUND 6 REPORT BY AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT, SAM SLOAN Istanbul World Chess Olympiad, day seven: FIDE Committee meets on drug testing ISTANBUL, November 3: Today is a free day for the chess players but is the first day of meetings for the FIDE Committees. Today was the first meeting in the Jupiter Room of the Hilton Hotel regarding one of the most controversial items on the FIDE agenda: The testing for drugs. The question arises because FIDE wants for chess to be recognized as an Olympic Sport but some chess grandmasters are known to smoke a little grass every now and then, and this is absolutely prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. Some grandmasters who are known to like their weed have protested vehemently. Representatives of FIDE, the World Chess Federation, have been meeting with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch of Spain, on this issue. It was decided that drug testing would begin with this World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul. However, when informed of this, the Turkish organizers protested on the grounds of cost. It was estimated that the cost of drug testing would be between $15,000 and $30,000 and this amount had not been budgeted, nor had the Turks been informed of this cost and expense when they bid for this Olympiad several years ago. Since there was no money for the drug testing, it will not take place this year but it is expected to take place at the 2002 Olympiad in Slovenia. Several cities are preparing bids for the 2004 Olympiad and all will be told to provide for drug testing in their budget. A presentation was made on this subject to the FIDE Committee by Dr. Pedro Barrera of El Salvador, who is the FIDE Continental President for the Americas and who has met with Juan Antonio Samaranch on this issue. At the meeting with Dr. Barrera was Dr. Stephen J. Press of Canada who has had similar dealings with the International Olympic Committee regarding the World Roller-Skating Association. The kinds of substances which are banned by the IOC are alcohol, cannabis and Beta-Blockers. There are several famous incidents where sports athletes have been tested positive for these substances and banned. Among the issues which arose are costs, confidentiality, punishment and litigation exposure. For example, Horst Metzing of the German Chess Federation asked what if one of his players tests positive for drugs. What then? Do they ban him? If so, for how long? What if he sues? They could all be bankrupt! Would not it be better for FIDE to ban him, because then the player could sue FIDE, but the German Chess Federation could not be sued. There is an IOC certified testing lab in Moscow which offered to perform the tests for only $150 each, which is half price. But, what if their results are wrong and the player sues? This has happened before in other sports with devastating results. The committee adjourned without reaching a conclusion on any of these issues, but will meet again on Sunday. Among those present at the committee meeting were David Jarrett of England, David Anderton of England, Toti Abundo of the Philippines, and Florencio Campomanes from some country the name of which I cannot recall. I did not recognize a few of the persons present. This World Chess Olympiad features almost all of the strongest players in the world, except that the top three are missing: Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand. After that, the players rated 7-10 are all present. These are: Michael Adams (ENG) (2754), Peter Leko (HUN) (2748), Alexei Shirov (ESP) (2746), Alexander Morozevich (RUS) (2734), Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR) (2716), Veselin Topalov (BUL) (2707) and Michal Krasenkow (POL) (2702). Number 11, Karpov, is not here, but number 12, Svidler is present. Number 14 Bareev is missing, but number 15 to 21 are all present. These are Rustam Kasimdzhanov (UZB) (2690), Nigel Short (ENG) (2687), Boris Gelfand, (ISR) (2683), Ye Jiangchuan (CHN) (2682), Alexey Dreev (RUS) (2681), Zurab Azmaiparashvili (GEO) (2678) Kiril Georgiev (BUL) (2674), Ilia Smirin (ISR) (2674). Although the bulletins and the web site are improved, they are still missing basic information. For example, the standings and the ratings of the players are not published. Therefore, it has been necessary for me to figure out the standings by hand. Here they are: After six rounds and 24 games the top men's teams are: Germany 18.5 Russia 17.5 Slovakia 17 Ukraine, Israel and Hungary 16.5 Armenia 16 England, China, Yugoslavia, India, Georgia, Denmark, Croatia, Philippines, USA, Bulgaria and the Netherlands all with 15.5 Kazakstan, Chile, Romania, Uzbekistan, Switzerland and Iceland all with 15. Eleven teams are tied with 14.5 After six rounds and 18 games the top women's teams are: China and Georgia 13.5 Netherlands and Moldova 13 Ukraine, Vietnam, Greece and England 12.5 Hungary and Russia 12 Armenia, Czech Republic, Yugoslavia and Israel 11.5 Germany, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Poland, Spain, India and Lithuania 11. ************** WOMENS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Geraldine Johns-Putra advises that she has had to withdraw from the Womens World Championship, to be held in India in December, because of difficulties securing a flight. Her position is being offered to Laura Moylan who is the next qualified player. *********** 2001 GRAND PRIX It would very much be appreciated if the organisers of all existing Grand Prix tournaments and the organisers of any tournaments who would like to be part of the Grand Prix register their dates for the 2001 Grand Prix with ROBERT JAMIESON as soon as possible. With 42 events in 2000, the Grand Prix has been very successful this year and we aim to continue with the same set of rules next year. Many thanks to JASON LYONS for developing and marketing the Grand Prix late last year and to INGRID THOMPSON for administering it this year. Please register with Robert Jamieson auschess@iaccess.com.au Phone 03 9700 6295(H) 03 9579 2533(W) or Fax 03 9700 4917. Details: Fees: Class 1: $50 up front, plus $2 per player. Class 2: $100 up front plus $2 per player. Class 3: $150 up front plus $2 per player. Events in Tasmania, SA, WA and outside state capitals are entitled to a $50 reduction in their up front fee. Clubs in these areas can thus stage a class 1 event with no up front fee. Tournament Classes: GP categories are determined by prize money: Class = TP/1000. TP = total prizes (rounded to nearest category). In practice this formula works out as follows: Class 1: Total prize money less than $1,500. Class 2: Total prize money $1,500 to $2,499. Class 3: Total prize money $2,500 or more. Scoring Points: There are three classes of tournament and six divisions: Open, U/2000, U1600, Junior, Women and Unrated. Points are awarded as follows: Class 1: 1st 12, 2nd 9, 3rd 6, 4th 4, 5th 3. Class 2: 1st 16, 2nd 12, 3rd 9, 4th 6, 5th 4. Class 3: 1st 20, 2nd 15, 3rd 12, 4th 9, 5th 6. Each player's best 5 scores, by category, are accumulated to determine the prize winners. Prizes: For all divisions, ratings from the ACF December 2000 list will be applied. A player may win one prize only. Juniors must be under 18 years of age as at 1 January 2001. State prizes are awarded to players in each state where there are no prize winners. Open: 1st $1,250, 2nd $750, 3rd $500, 4th $300, 5th $200. U2000: 1st $750, 2nd $500, 3rd $300, 4th $200. U1600: 1st $750, 2nd $500, 3rd $300, 4th $200. Junior: 1st $500, 2nd $300, 3rd $200. Women: $500. Unrated: $200. State Prizes: $200. Estimated prize pool: $9,000. Robert will need to know the Club, Tournament Name, Dates, Venue, Anticipated Prize Fund, Class/Up Front Fee, Contact person plus phone, fax, snail mail and email contact details. The main advantages of participation in the Grand Prix are substantial publicity of your event and the incentive of Grand Prix points for players to participate. Events signed up for 2001: 1. Dubbo RSL Open Class 1 Mar 3 & 4 Contact: Alexander Aich 02 6884 4561 2. UQ Chess Tournament Class1 April 20-22 Contact: David Cowland-Cooper uqchess@hotmail.com 3. Doeberl Cup Class 3 Apr 13-16 Contact: Roger McCart 02 6249-2041 ********** 2000 GRAND PRIX The remaining events in the 2000 Grand Prix are as follows: November 4-6 Tasmanian Open, Battery Point Comm Hall, Hobart, Cat 1, KEVIN BONHAM 03 6224 8487 November 4-7 Melbourne Cup, Melbourne Chess Club, Fitzroy, Cat 3, MCC 03 9416 3149 November 18-19 Taree RSL Spring Open, Taree Sports and Rec Club, Cat 1, ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060 December 9-10 Vikings Weekender, Tuggeranong Rugby Club, Cat 1, Lee Forace Ph: 02 9556-3960 December 16-17 NSWCA Centenary Open, Sydney (Venue TBC), Cat 3, MICHAEL WALSH 0407 068550 December 16-17 Christmas Swiss, Melbourne (Venue TBC), Cat 3, FRED VANDERLINDE 03 5998 7757 Dec 28- Jan 9 Australian Open, Rydges Hotel, Canberra, Cat 3, ANDREW GREENWOOD 0403 191 777 ********** SUNCOAST MAROOCHY BLACK SWAN TOURNAMENT - NOVEMBER 4/5 This event for under 1950 rated players will be held at the Discovery Beach Resort (formerly Surfair) opposite the Sunshine Coast Airport. First prize $500. Over $2,000 in prizes. Full details are on the Suncoast Chess Club web site http://www.sunchess.aunz.org ********** Australian Centenary of Federation Chess Festival - 2001 Australian Open 28 December 2000 - 09 January 2001 Entries are rolling in for all of the events. Make sure you get your entries in early. The latest edition of the ChessACTion newsletter is about to be sent out with Australian Chess Forum. Travel to Canberra is a lot cheaper than you might think. There are cheap fares by coach or rail, and depending on when you book, there are discount flights also available. Combine this with accommodation starting at under $20/night close to the venue, you have a very affordable trip here. Some travel rates the organisers have received: Greyhound coach (Adult/One way) (Phone 132030) Sydney/Canberra $32 Melbourne/Canberra $52 Rail: Countrylink trains: (Phone: 132232) Sydney - Canberra: $33 single (advanced purchase adult) $29 single (students) Melbourne - Canberra: $63 single (advanced purchase adult) $54 single (students) Brisbane - Canberra $90 single (advanced purchase adult) $77 single (students) Air (QANTAS) Return fares (Phone 131313) Up to and including Dec 27th Sydney/Canberra $221.10 Brisbane/Canberra $411.40 Adelaide/Canberra $433.40 Hobart/Canberra $466.40 Perth/Canberra: S744.70 Darwin/Canberra $844.80 >From 28th fares become: Sydney/Canberra $211.20 Brisbane/Canberra $388.30 Adelaide/Canberra $344.30 Hobart/Canberra $433.40 Perth/Canberra: $666.60 Darwin/Canberra $777.70 (Brisbane/Sydney one way $99.00) (Melbourne/Sydney one way $99.00) All accommodation options are available at http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/austaccom.html Since the last email, two GMs have unfortunately informed us that they have withdrawn. We are in the process of finding some replacement players. I am pleased to announce that GM Stefan Djuric from Yugoslavia has now confirmed his participation in the Open. Many may remember that Stefan has visited Australia on a number of different occasions in the past, including to play in the Australian Open. Further announcements will be made over the coming weeks. The confirmed titled player list for the Open is now: International Grandmasters: GM UTUT ADIANTO (INDONESIA 2583) GM IAN ROGERS (AUSTRALIA 2558) GM ALEXANDER VOLZHIN (RUSSIA 2556) GM DARRYL JOHANSEN (AUSTRALIA 2505) GM STEFAN DJURIC (YUGOSLAVIA 2472) GM GORAN TODOROVIC (YUGOSLAVIA 2455) International Masters: IM GARY LANE (ENGLAND 2452) IM MICHAEL GLUZMAN (AUSTRALIA 2432) IM VLADIMIR FELDMAN (AUSTRALIA 2399) IM GUY WEST (AUSTRALIA 2372) IM ZONG-YUAN ZHAO (AUSTRALIA 2341) IM DAVID SMERDON (AUSTRALIA 2315) IM IRINA BEREZINA-FELDMAN (AUSTRALIA 2304) GM and IM norm results will be available. This is the first Australian Open or Championship of any kind to visit the ACT. We need the support of as many local players as possible to make this event a great success. Things are shaping up to make this event unique and very memorable. The venue will be the entire first floor of the luxurious ballroom at Rydges Lakeside Canberra Hotel on the foreshores of Lake Burley Griffin. There is five-star dining available on the fifteenth floor, which overlooks the lake and wonderful views of the city and its surrounds. For more information, you can read Chris Depasquale's article on the event at http://www.kasparovchess.com, under "Global News". Rydges have offered us great rates on accommodation at the venue. See the accommodation section for more information. There is great prize-money available for the club strength player. Over $20,000 in prizes will be handed out during the festival. At least $11,300 in prizes for the Open, over $2,500 in each of the Minor and Repechage and over $4,000 in the Australian Juniors. There is something for players of all standards. Events and Schedule - 2001 Australian Open (11 rounds): Thurs 28 Dec - Tues 9 Jan (rest days Mon 1 and Sun 7 Jan) All rounds 2 pm except last round 10 am. Time limits: 40 moves in 120 minutes, followed by 20 moves in 60 minutes then 20 seconds per move cumulative (DGT program 16) - Australian Minor (7 rounds): Restricted to players under ACF 1600. Thurs 28 Dec - Sun 31 Dec. Rounds at 9 am and 2 pm daily except just one 2pm round on Thurs 28 Dec. Time limits: 40 moves in 90 minutes, followed by 20 moves in 30 minutes then 20 seconds per move cumulative (DGT program 15) - Australian Repechage (6 rounds): Restricted to players under ACF 2000 Tues 2 Jan - Sun 7 Jan - rounds at 9 am each day. Time limits: 40 moves in 90 minutes, followed by 20 moves in 30 minutes then 20 seconds per move cumulative (DGT program 15) Note: Open players can enter this event also. - Australian Rapidplay (7 rounds) Mon 1 Jan. Commences 11 am. Time limits: 30 mins. - Australian Lightning (11 rounds) Sun 7 Jan. Commences 4pm. Time limits: 5 mins. - Also nightly lightning and transfer tournaments at 7:30pm. There will be other lectures and demonstration events. Players can choose to play in the following combination of tournaments: - Open (28 Dec - 9 Jan) - U/1600 Minor (28 -31 Dec) - U/2000 Repechage (2-7 Jan) - Open + U/2000 Repechage - U/1600 Minor + U/2000 Repechage Arbiters: Chief Arbiter: SHAUN PRESS Deputy Arbiters: CHARLES ZWORESTINE, IAN MURRAY with other positions to be announced. 2001 Australian Open: Adult $120, Concession $96 2001 Australian Minor U/1600: Adult $50, Concession $40 2001 Australian Repechage U/2000: Adult $50, Concession $40 - Entries postmarked after 1 December will incur a late fee of $20 Open/$10 Minor. Players who enter the Open are exempt from a $10 late fee in the Repechage. 2001 Australian Open Rapidplay: Adult $40, Concession $32 2001 Australian Open Lightning, Adult $20, Concession $16 Concession entry is available to juniors under 18 years (as of 28 December 2000), current full-time students and the unwaged. Organisers may request proof of concession status. Entry can be paid via cheque payable to ACT Chess Association Inc. Also, payment via credit card (Mastercard, Visa or Bankcard) can be made by filling out the entry form, or made directly over the phone. Direct banking at any Commonwealth Bank branch can be arranged with Andrew Greenwood (see below). Post, fax or email your entry with payment details to the addresses below, or request or download the entry form. The entry form can be downloaded from: http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/chesscentenaryform.pdf You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0, which is available from http://www.adobe.com Also, the brochure itself can be downloaded from: http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/chesscentenary.pdf (large file - 2.8 megabytes) For more information, visit the website http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/ Further contact information is below: Australian Centenary of Federation Chess Festival PO Box 470 Erindale Centre ACT 2903 AUSTRALIA Tel. 0403-191-777 Fax. 02-6291-0385 Email: andrew.greenwood@anu.edu.au Andrew Greenwood ********** Very best wishes to all. Robert Jamieson ------------------------------------------- Robert Jamieson Acting President, Australian Chess Federation PO Box 716 Mt.Waverley 3149 Phone 03 9579-2533 (w) 03 9700-6295 (h) Fax 03 9570-4095 (w) Email: auschess@iaccess.com.au http://www.auschess.org.au Chess - the clever sport! PS - If you do not wish to receive this bulletin in future, please email auschess@iaccess.com.au