ACF Bulletin #94

ACF Bulletin No. 94
7th December 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.CORRESPONDENCE

FROM GRAEME GARDINER

Yesterday Wendy and I spent a full day at the offices of the USCF. We were wonderfully treated and learned a great deal which should help when considering and articulating ways of developing Australian chess. The USCF has an annual operating budget of US$6M and employs 40 full time staff. It has 86,000 members of which just over half are aged 19 and under.

Benefits of membership include US Chess Online, Chess Life Magazine for adults and School Mates Magazine for juniors, merchandising of various chess goods with discounts for members, ratings service, members only section on the website, affinity programmes, publishing initiatives, free handouts, research materials and a library.

The USCF is trying to become a full member of the US Olympic Committee and is also working on accreditations for coaches and tournament officials. There are some areas where it might be possible for the ACF to work with the USCF for the mutual benefit of both parties.

In Washington we stayed with Lubos and Irena Kavalek who were wonderful hosts. In New York we are staying with Martin and Sophie Zhao, parents of six year old Parker, the current US Kindy champion who moved from the Gold Coast a couple of years ago. Martin and Sophie also were very generous hosts. Tomorrow we go on to Boston where we stay with Bill and Vesna Kelleher. Bill is the US delegate to FIDE. After that we will meet up in Seattle with Yasser Seirawan. Yasser was one of the critics of the Oceanic zonal held in 1999 at the Parkroyal Surfers Paradise. At the recent FIDE Congress I moved a motion to tighten up FIDE regulations in relation to titles at zonals run as Swiss events. An amendment to my motion was accepted and in future at zonals run as Swiss events a maximum of one IM title and two FM titles will be awarded without prior consent of the Chairman of the Titles Commission.

In relation to David Lovejoy's comments re FIDE Commerce, I think I gave some comments on this matter a couple of weeks ago. Whatever people may think of the FIDE President and the Russian who is running FIDE Commerce, they have to perform for the US$3.5million (indexed) a year or the contract is voided. According to the information given to the Congress the FIDE President has already given in excess of US$20M to FIDE over the last few years! Englishman David Anderton, an impressive character, gave me a great deal of confidence that his committee had made the contract as watertight as possible under all the circumstances.

I hope all is going well. I look forward to seeing you in early January.

Very best wishes

Graeme

FROM BRUCE HARRIS

I wonder if anyone can help me with a bit of information. I'm involved in a discussion on an email discussion group in which the subject of computer chess has come up, with particular emphasis on the difference between the way computers and humans play chess. I mentioned that case a year or so back of the player who was caught taking advice from Fritz through hidden communication equipment. This raised considerable interest, and a couple of people asked for further detail. I know it was covered in a couple of Aussie chess columns, and no doubt in other journals around the world, but can't think of an efficient way to track one down. Does anyone have the details - who the player was, what the tournament was, where it was played etc - or can anyone point to a particular column that covered it? I vaguely recall that Phil Viner's column in the Australian gave it a good run, but may be wrong.

Another example, perhaps more obscure, I'd like to track down occurred I believe in one of those carbon vs silicon tournaments. The computer refrained from playing what looked like an obvious winning move, to the bafflement of both its opponent and the onlookers. It was only on analysis that it was found that the obvious winning move had a fatal flaw. I know it's a big ask, but if anyone can identify this incident from such a vague recollection, I'd be mighty grateful for the details.

For that matter, any profound insights into the differences between computer and human chess style would be useful.

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards,
Bruce Harris

Reply directly to: Eva.Harris@Worldonline.cz

MORE FROM BRUCE HARRIS

The current edition of the Czech chess magazine Sachinfo includes an interview with one Graeme Gardiner. There's a photo (taken by Cathy Rogers) of Graeme carrying the Olympic Torch, and according to the text he is only the second person in history to do so as a chess player, the only other having been Yugoslav GM Predrog Nikolic in 1984. He comments on what an emotionally rewarding experience it was.

Graeme goes on to talk about his vision for the future of chess in Australia, particularly the development of youth chess in schools and universities. Asked his views on the likelihood of chess ever making it into the Olympics, Graeme was cautiously optimistic, but not in the short term - maybe the winter version in 2006 or the summer of 2008.

The Gardiners' next stop after Prague was to be Istanbul, and the interviewer wished him and the Aussie team well - then closed with the rueful comment that when he said that, he wasn't expecting that Australia would finish ahead of the Czech Republic.

Regards,
Bruce Harris

FROM GEORGE HOWARD

Hi Robert , could you include our Chess tourney in your next bulletin.

The Australian Allegro Chess Championships have been running for 5 years with first prize of $1,000 2nd $400.
The tourney is 7 rounds 15 mins each on the timer. The tourney is on 26th December 2000 and starts at 12.00 it is all finished by 5.00 pm. It is run by SACA and in years past number of entries have ranged between 80 - 110. There are many other prizes totalling $2,000 in all and we hold it every year at the beachside suburb of Glenelg as part of the BAY SPORTS FESTIVAL.

For further information and entry forms persons interested could call me on 0414841575 or e-mail me at georgeshoward@hotmail.com.

Yours in CHESS
George Howard
President SACA

NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR ACF MEDALS Nominations are invited for the following medals, to be awarded during the presentation of prizes at the Australian Open Championship in Canberra on Tuesday January 9, 2000. Steiner Medal This is awarded to the "Player of the Year". It is to be the player who has made the greatest impact, not necessarily the highest-rated - it is for the most notable achievement of the year. It may be awarded to the same person more than once. Koshnitsky Medal This is awarded for an outstanding contribution to Australian chess administration at a national or a state level. It may not be won more than once by the same person. CJS Purdy Medal This is awarded for an outstanding contribution to Australian chess as a journalist at a national or state level. It may not be won more than once by the same person. Please note: 1. The Steiner Medal is to be awarded in respect of impact/achievement during the year 2000. 2. The Koshnitsky and Purdy medals are not necessarily awarded in respect of any particular year. 3. A list of previous winners may be viewed on the ACF web page at www.auschess.org.au/acfrec.htm 4. Please send nominations together with citations and/or other suitable supportive material so as to be received at the following address on or before 10 December 2000: 20 Sycamore Grove, East St Kilda, Vic 3183, or send by e-mail to gwastell@netspace.net.au, or by fax to (03) 9525 9632. 5. Confirmation of receipt of nominations will be given. If no such confirmation is received within two days of the expected date of delivery, please contact Gary Wastell on (03) 9525 9631 or 0419 525 963 or e-mail as above. 6. Please retain a copy of all material sent.

later than FRIDAY, 08 DECEMBER 2000. Also, players intending to enter on the day (with late fee of $20 Open, $10 Minor before 11AM, 28 December), must notify the organisers of their intentto do so BEFORE 28 December so that we have an idea of final numbers before the start of the events. Entries are coming in fast, so book your accommodation and get entries in now. Furthermore, there are still plentiful accommodation options available including doubles from $30 p.p. per night within 5 minutes walk of the venue (see City Walk Hotel on website). By coming in groups, the costs can be vastly reduced - enquire about extra single beds in rooms at Rydges Lakeside when making bookings (http://www.rydges.com/canberra/). There are still single rooms at Fenner Hall (15 min. walk from venue or 5 min. bus) from $17/night for adults. For more information, visit http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/genaccom.html Another update on visiting players - some good news and some bad news. GM Goran Todorovic, an early confirmation, has unfortunately notified the organisers of his withdrawal. He has been replaced by three International Masters: 21-year old IM Maarten Solleveld (The Netherlands), IM Walaa Sarwat (Egypt) and 22-year old IM Mohamed Ezat (Egypt). More updates on visiting players to come. This brings the total number of GMs and IMs to 15: 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) International Masters: IM GARY LANE (ENGLAND 2452) IM MICHAEL GLUZMAN (AUSTRALIA 2432) IM MAARTEN SOLLEVELD (NETHERLANDS 2426) IM VLADIMIR FELDMAN (AUSTRALIA 2399) IM WALAA SARWAT (EGYPT 2392) IM GUY WEST (AUSTRALIA 2372) IM MOHAMED EZAT (EGYPT 2348) IM ZONG-YUAN ZHAO (AUSTRALIA 2341) IM DAVID SMERDON (AUSTRALIA 2315) IM IRINA BEREZINA-FELDMAN (AUSTRALIA 2304) Other players coming: ISRAEL YADAO (PHILIPPINES 2303) FM EDDY LEVI (AUSTRALIA 2258) FM TIM REILLY (AUSTRALIA 2215) HENRIK MORTENSEN (DENMARK 2089) WIM LAURA MOYLAN (AUSTRALIA 2076) Feel free to contact the organisers if you have any questions. See the website for detailed information. Australian Centenary of Federation Chess Festival PO Box 470 Erindale ACT 2903 AUSTRALIA Andrew Greenwood Tel. 0403-191-777 (anytime) Fax. 02-6291-0385 Email: andrew.greenwood@anu.edu.au http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/ NSWCA DECEMBER WEEKENDER! This is a Grand Prix Tournament Category depends on prize money raised VENUE: Kamaraigal Room, North Sydney Leagues Club, Abbott St, Cammeray. Ample parking available. Licensed club rules apply. Juniors welcome. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch a bus on routes 202-207 from Wynyard or North Sydney stations. Alight at Cammeray shops in Miller St. One minute from the club. SEVEN ROUNDS: Time limit of one hour per player for the whole game. Games will be rated. ENQUIRIES: Norm Greenwood 94764533(H). ENTRIES: Entries taken on the day; or send advance entries to NSW Chess

Contact:- Reg - 02 6585 5873 ~ Endel - 02 6559 9060.

ACF GRAND PRIX 2001

No.     Event                   State   Category        Dates           Contact Name    Phone   Email
1 Dubbo RSL Open         N       1       3-4 Mar         Alexander Aich 02 6884 4561    sjaich@tpg.com.au
2      UQ Chess Tournament     Q       3       20-22 Apr       David Cowland-Cooper    0414 498 556    uqchess@hotmail.com
3    Doeberl Cup             A       3       13-16 Apr       Roger McCart    02 6249 2041    Roger.McCart@anu.edu.au
4        Newcastle 2001 Open     N       2       3-4 Feb         George Lithgow         george.lithgow@bigpond.com
5     Adelaide Cup Weekender S       1       19-20 May       Roland Eime             eimes@senet.com.au
6     Queen's Birthday Weekender      S       1       9-10 Jun                Roland Eime             eimes@senet.com.au
7     Lidum's Cup Weekender   S       1       29-30 Sep       Roland Eime             eimes@senet.com.au

9       South West Open         W       1       17-18 Mar       Alan Phillips           alanglo@tpg.com.au
10    Queen's Birthday Weekender      T       1       9-11 Jun                Kevin Bonham    03 6224 8487    k_bonham@utas.edu.au
11 36th Peninsula Open     Q       1       5-7 May         Mark Stokes     07 3205 6042    mstokes@bne.catholic.edu.au
12   11th Redcliffe Challenge        Q       1       6-7 Oct         Mark Stokes     07 3205 6042    mstokes@bne.catholic.edu.au
13   Taree RSL Summer Open   N       1       17-18 Feb       Endel Lane      02 6559 9060    endel@fasternet.com.au
14        Taree RSL Open         N       1       23-24 Jun       Endel Lane      02 6559 9060    endel@fasternet.com.au
15        Taree RSL Spring Open   N       1       17-18 Nov       Endel Lane      02 6559 9060    endel@fasternet.com.au
16        ANU Open                A       3       28-29 Jul               Shaun Press             Shaun.Press@cs.anu.edu.au
17     Sydney Easter Cup               N       TBA     13-16 Apr       Peter Hanna             rational@mpx.com.au
18   Sunshine Coast 2001 Weekender   Q       3       7-8 Jul Robert Hochstadt        07 5447 5056    toothfairy@spiderweb.com.au
19   Gold Coast Open         Q       3       23-24 Jun       Graeme Gardiner 07 5530 5794    ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au
20 Gold Coast Classic              Q       3       22-23 September Graeme Gardiner 07 5530 5794    ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au