ACF Bulletin No. 102 - 4 February 2001
IN THIS ISSUE
ACF Executive and Office Bearers, Communication, University chess, Chess
Wedding of the Year, Australian Schools Teams Championships, Insurance,
Swiss Perfect licences, 2001 Grand Prix, Australian selections for World
Juniors, Message from FIDE, Australian Championships, Stefan Djuric - Simul,
Gold Coast Chess Club, Correspondence.
ACF EXECUTIVE AND OFFICE BEARERS
ACF Secretary PAUL BROEKHUYSE has advised that as he wishes to concentrate
his efforts on the ACF webpage, he wishes to resign as Secretary. Paul is a
great worker for Australian chess and as well as the ACF webpage, he also is
webmaster for two other very active pages, the NSW Junior Chess League and
Net Chess News. This is a big load. The ACF site is going to become even
more important over the coming months if we proceed with Australian Chess
Online, so Australian chess will be well served by Paul. I'm pleased to say
that JOE TANTI of South Australia has agreed to take over from Paul. This
appointment will need to be ratified at the next ACF Council.
I'm also very pleased to announce that NORM BRAYBROOKE has taken over as ACF
Grand Prix Supervisor and ASHLEY RAMBUKWELLA has taken on the task of
Publicity Officer. The only ACF position which is vacant at present is that
of Tournament Coordinator. This role broadly involves taking bids for
official ACF events, making sure that the bids comply with the ACF Handbook
and making sure that a post event report is received also in accordance with
the ACF Handbook. I would be interested to hear from anyone who feels that
they would like to undertake this task.
The full ACF Executive and Office Bearers are now as follows:
Executive:
President, GRAEME GARDINER
Deputy President, ROBERT JAMIESON
Secretary, JOE TANTI
Treasurer, NORM GREENWOOD
Office Bearers:
Archivist/Historian, PAUL DUNN
Auditor, ROSS HAMILTON
Bulletin Editor, GRAEME GARDINER
Corporate Relations, PETER WALLMAN
Director of Coaching, BRETT TINDALL
FIDE Delegate, PHIL VINER
FIDE Ratings Officer, GARY BEKKER
Grand Prix Supervisor/Recorder, NORM BRAYBROOKE
Junior Selection Coordinator, BRETT TINDALL
Medals Coordinator, GARY WASTELL
National Ratings Officer, BILL GLETSOS/GRAHAM SAINT
Olympiad Appeal Coordinator, GRAEME GARDINER
Public Officer, DENNIS JESSOP
Publicity Officer, ASHLEY RAMBUKWELLA
Senior Selection Coordinator, ROBERT JAMIESON
Tournament Coordinator, Vacant
Webmaster, PAUL BROEKHUYSE
COMMUNICATION
In recent days I have received over 100 new email addresses to add to our
database, mainly from Queensland and the ACT. Many of these email addresses
are now collected by states/clubs with membership details as a matter of
routine. The weekly email bulletin has dramatically improved communication
in Australian chess. May I appeal to all those involved in administration at
both a state and club level to forward to me your email lists so that we can
further improve communication in Australian chess.
UNIVERSITY CHESS
The following messages from ALLAN RICHARDS have been sent to the university
database.
"Greetings Chess Players!
This year we are aiming to run an inter university chess competition along
side the Australian 2001 University Games, even if we are not officially
part of the event. To do this we will need to get the support of as many
universities as possible. With enough support, and a well run event it will
pave the way for inclusion in the games. This year the games are going to be
held at the University of Sydney. The dates are not known yet, but it should
be sometime around September or October. Keep watching the following page
for the dates: http://unigames.unisport.com.au/
Teams will be made up of four people each, with no restriction on the number
of teams from each university.
Obviously one of the biggest problems for a lot of states is the cost of
getting to Sydney and then staying here. To reduce this cost we are working
to get sponsorship which would pay for accommodation and food for teams
while staying in Sydney. We cannot guarantee this, but will be trying our
hardest to secure it.
The point of this e-mail is to elicit the support of people involved in
university chess across Australia. Even if you doubt that you'll be able to
make it, please encourage your university chess club to send along at least
one team. Please e-mail back saying whether you are interested in coming,
and what you think the involvement from your university will be.
Thanks for your support,
Allan Richards."
"Greetings Chess Players,
This is just to let everyone know that the probable format of teams has been
decided on. At the moment it is looking like were going to allow one staff
member, and one part-time student. The rest, or whole team if you like, can
be made up from postgraduates, and undergraduates (remember that there are 4
people to a team). It might seem a little bit odd to allow staff, but this
is being done to help numbers along. The event needs all the support it can
get in its first year.
For those of you who havent responded to the first e-mail regarding the
chess competition, please do. We need as much support as possible.
Thanks for your support,
Allan Richards."
Would anyone who knows anybody involved in university chess, or knows a
chess player at a university or knows anything about a chess club at a
university please contact Allan as soon as possible so that he has as much
information as possible with which to get this event off the ground. His
email address is
CHESS WEDDING OF THE YEAR
Who are the well known couple who will be marrying in Sydney next Friday?
Find out in this bulletin next week. I've been sworn to secrecy but I expect
many of you know already.
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2001 Australian Schools Teams Championships Finals weekend will be held
at Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane (Churchie) on Saturday/Sunday
15/16 December. The chief organiser will be HALIM NATAPRAWIRA
. Churchie is the current holder of the
Australian Schools Teams Championships Open title and was also the team that
reached the World Final in New York of the Kasparov World Schools Internet
competition.
Halim will be sending full details of accommodation etc in due course, but I
do know that Churchie's boarding accommodation will be available as an
option. Accommodation $30 per night, breakfast $5, lunch $6.50 and dinner
$8.50 all plus GST.
$10,000,000 PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR YOUR CLUB OR STATE?
The following states/clubs have signed up to date for the ACF insurance
policy:
Gold Coast Chess Club Inc
Canberra Chess Club
Southside Junior Chess Club
Bunbury Chess Club Inc
Hobsons Bay Chess Club
Dandenong Chess Club Inc
Tweed Coolangatta Chess Club Inc
Street Chess (Canberra)
ACTCA Inc
Belconnen Chess Club
ACTJCL Inc
Noble Knights Chess Club Inc
Chess Association of WA
South Australian Chess Association Inc
I've been receiving favourable comments from states and clubs who have saved
plenty of money by taking up the ACF insurance deal. Has your state or club
considered the following deal?
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
I think that you will find these quotes hard to beat. Compare them with what
you are paying now.
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
or phone 03 9569 1569 or fax 03 9569 1515.
SWISS PERFECT LICENCES
Seventy five licences have been issued to the following states/clubs (and
many schools all of which are entitled to free copies of the various state
licences):
Australia: ACF.
Tasmania: TCA, Sandy Bay, Burnie, Launceston, Hobart International.
NSW: NSWCA, Rooty Hill, Central Coast, Ettalong Beach, Hakoah Club, Ford
Memorial, Woolongong Collegians, Mingara, Newcastle, Canterbury Bankstown,
St George, Illawarra Southern, Port Macquarie, Ballina, North Sydney, Koala
Club, South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club.
Victoria: VCA, Elwood, Chess Kids, Hobsons Bay, Geelong, Bendigo, Box Hill,
Ballarat, Dandenong, Chess Ideas, Albury, Frankston, Latrobe Valley,
Melbourne University.
Queensland: CAQ, Qld Juniors, The Gap, Redcliffe, Toowoomba Grammar, Coomera
Juniors, Gold Coast, Townsville, Hervey Bay, Northside Juniors, Kin Kora
(Gladstone), Suncoast, Coomera Juniors, Queensland Women's Chess League,
Northside Juniors, Toowoomba.
Northern Territory: Darwin, Alice Springs.
South Australia: SACA, Modbury, Norwood, Adelaide, Adelaide University.
Western Australia: CAWA, WA Juniors, Metro, Perth, Fremantle, Midland,
Bunbury.
ACT: ACTCA, ACT High Schools, ACTJCL, Tuggeranong, ANU, Canberra, Belconnen,
Southside.
In the interests of international cooperation the ACF has also organised
licences for Fiji and Qatar.
If your club or school would like a free licence, please contact GRAEME
GARDINER ROBERT ROZYCKI'S Swiss Perfect
website is at www.swissperfect.com
2001 GRAND PRIX
Special attention is drawn to the upcoming weekender in Taree on 17/18
February:
Tournaments registered to date are as follows:
3/4 Feb Newcastle Open NSW Cat 2 GEORGE LITHGOW
17/18 Feb Taree RSL Summer Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
10-12 Mar Tasmanian Championships TAS Cat 1 DAVID FERRIS 03 6225 1523
dcfer@netspace.net.au
3/4 Mar Dubbo RSL Open NSW Cat 1 ALEXANDER AICH 02 6884 4561
17/18 Mar South West Open WA Cat 1 ALAN PHILLIPS
13-16 Apl Doeberl Cup ACT Cat 3 ROGER MCCART 02-6251-6190
13-16 Apl Sydney Easter Cup NSW Cat ? PETER HANNA
20-22 Apl Univ of Qld QLD Cat 3 DAVID COWLAND-COOPER 0414 498556
5/6 May Hobson's Bay Open VIC Cat 1 PETER CAISSA 0411 710900
5/6 May Laurieton Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
5-7 May Redcliffe Peninsula Open QLD Cat 1 MARK STOKES 07 3205 6042
19/20 May Adelaide Cup SA Cat 1 ROLAND EIME 08 8268 1374
9/10 June Queen's Birthday Weekender SA Cat 1 ROLAND EIME 08 8268 1374
9-11 June Queen's Birthday Weekender TAS Cat 1 KEVIN BONHAM 03 6224 8487
23/24 June Taree RSL Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
23/24 June Gold Coast Open QLD Cat 3 GRAEME GARDINER 07 5530 5794
30Jun/1Jul Suncoast Weekender QLD Cat 3 ROBERT HOCHSTADT 07 5447 5056
28/29 Jul ANU Open ACT Cat 3 SHAUN PRESS 02 6255 2040
4/5 Aug Mackay Open QLD Cat 1 STAN LONG HONG 07 4953 4573
25/26 August Launceston Weekender TAS Cat 1 LEO MINOL 03 6344 7472
22/23 Sep Gold Coast Classic QLD Cat 3 GRAEME GARDINER 07 5530 5794
29/30 Sep Lidum's Cup SA Cat 1 ROLAND EIME 08 8268 1374
6/7 Oct Redcliffe Challenge QLD Cat 1 MARK STOKES 07 3205 6042
13/14 Oct Tweed Heads Open QLD Cat 3 BRUCE PENNEFATHER 07 5536 9185
3/4 Nov Laurieton Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
17-19 Nov Tasmanian Open TAS Cat 1 NEVILLE LEDGER 03 6431 1280
17/18 Nov Taree RSL Spring Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
8/9 Dec Tuggeranong Vikings Weekender ACT Cat 1 LEE FORACE 02 9556 3960
May I appeal to the organisers of the following tournaments which were
entered in 2000 to enter them again in 2001:
Hervey Bay Open, Ballarat Begonia Open, Darling Downs Open, Basta Shield,
Vic Open, North Queensland Open, Hervey Bay Whale Open, Coal City Open,
Central Coast Weekender, Melbourne Cup, Melbourne Christmas Swiss, various
NSWCA events. It would also be nice to list two or three more WA
tournaments. I understand that The Gap Chess Club in Queensland and Box Hill
Chess Club in Melbourne are considering entering events. Perhaps there are
several other established or new tournaments which might like to enter.
Please note that the new Grand Prix Supervisor is NORM BRAYBROOKE
. I'm sure that he would love to hear from new
events. I understand that Norm will shortly be providing ACF webmaster Paul
Broekhuyse information for the ACF webpage.
I hope to have final results for the 2000 Grand Prix very shortly. I
understand that INGRID THOMPSON is just waiting for the results of one
tournament.
At the recent ACF Council meeting, ACF policy regarding registration of
tournaments was confirmed as follows: 'The registration of tournaments in
the national Grand Prix is subject to the approval of the local state
association'. It is reiterated that once a Grand Prix event is categorised
and advertised, there is an obligation on tournament organisers to pay
prizes as per the relevant category.
AUSTRALIAN SELECTIONS FOR WORLD JUNIORS
Would all juniors wishing to nominate for the Australian team for the World
Juniors please email ACF Junior Coordinator BRETT TINDALL
as soon as possible. Brett will be requiring
the following information: Full name, Address, Date of Birth, Title, FIDE
Rating, ACF Rating, preferred age group, list of overseas and Australian
tournaments participated in last 12 months. There may also be opportunities
to represent Australia in Asian events or world teams events.
MESSAGE FROM FIDE (WORLD CHESS FEDERATION) - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMMANUEL
OMUKU
It has become necessary for me to issue this statement in the face of the
misunderstanding, which has arisen following the Presidential Board's
decisions in respect of the use of the Continental Championship as basis for
qualification for the World Chess Championship as well as the new time
control for FIDE events. I am in touch with the President as well as FIDE
Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, who met over the weekend in Athens
with World Championship Cycle Committee Chairman Willy Iclicki on some of
the issues of concern.
I would like to begin by stating that there has clearly been a
misunderstanding. I have taken time to go through the tapes of the General
Assembly meeting in Istanbul as well as the resolutions of the Presidential
Board, the initial Press release after the Tehran Board meeting as well as
the clarification of some of the issues raised in the Press release, which
was contained in our circular letter of 4 January 2001.
The extract of the tape recording of the Minutes clearly shows that it was
the true intention of the General Assembly that the final decision regarding
the matter of the new time control and the World Championship be dealt with
at the Presidential Board. Delegates would also kindly recall that this
precedent is nothing new and that our Statutes allow it. Permit me to recall
that the final decision on the Regulations for the World Championship, which
was applied in Groningen/ Lausanne, in 1997/98, was reached after the
General Assembly meeting in Yerevan in 1996 delegated this matter to the
Presidential Board and there are many more instances where the General
Assembly has mandated the Board or in some cases, the President, to act on
its behalf in very complex situations. Let me also state that having
specifically delegated the issue of time control and the World Championship
to the Presidential Board, the input of the Qualification Commission or any
of its constituent parts or where applicable, the World Championship Cycle
Committee, can only be secondary to that of the Presidential Board now,
acting in the name of the General Assembly.
With specific reference to the time control issue, it was clear on the 12th
of November in Istanbul, that a poll amongst the players at the Olympiad had
not been taken and could not have been taken, given the circumstances and
share logistics of having a reliable poll in Istanbul with the little time
left. What then could have been more representative than the decision to
take a sampling from the cream of our top professional male and female
players, who were present in New Delhi for the World Chess Championships.
Out of the 159 players polled, 135 players returned their questionnaires.
The sampling produced the following result: 61 to 42 in favour of a reduced
time control. 32 were non-committal. As we clarified in our circular letter
of 4 January 2001, the Presidential Board merely lowered the time barrier to
make it possible for these lower time limits to be used for title and rating
purposes as well.
In arriving at its decision, the following technical experts were present at
the two sessions of the Board meeting in New Delhi and Tehran:
Mr. Willy Iclicki, Chairman of the World Championship Cycle Committee, Mr.
Casto Abundo, Rating Administrator, Mr. Geurt Gijssen, Chairman of the Rules
Committee, GM Valery Salov, President of the World Players' Council, GM
Zurab Azmaiparashvil.
The Board members present were as follows:
FIDE President K. Ilyumzhinov, Honorary President F. Campomanes, Deputy
President G. Makropoulos, Vice President P.T. Ummer Koya, General Secretary
N. Tabbane, Treasurer D. Jarrett, Continental President B. Kutin,
Continental President L. Mazouz.
I am in a position to say that all the issues were thoroughly debated at the
two sessions of the Board in New Delhi and Tehran before the Board reached
its decision. This was apart from various meetings at Committee levels
chaired at different times, by the President and Deputy President. In
keeping with our Statutes, and where communication allowed, contact was
established with some of the Board members by fax or telephone for their
input, when the matter was being debated especially at the Tehran stage.
Let me now address the issue of the Status of the Zones. As I stated in my
earlier note, the Zonal structure shall continue to be maintained as the
bedrock of our chess development effort. They shall continue to be used for
purposes of titles and ratings as contained in the Handbook. But as was
clear from our discussions in Istanbul, the Continental Championships for
commercial reasons will now be used for purposes of qualification to the
World Championship. At the same time, the Continental Championships are now
going to be administered by the Continents and they are expected to select
the winners for qualification for the World Championship from this event,
along Zonal lines. It should also be noted that the Presidential Board had
granted substantial increases to the number of qualifiers from the
Continents thus allowing for all possible variations to satisfy the needs of
the Continents as well as the Zones from within this Continental structure.
In addition, FIDE is proposing to provide financial support towards the
prize fund for the continents for this important event of the World
Championship cycle, as follows:
Europe - USD 120, 000 less 20% to FIDE = USD 96, 000
Americas - USD 80, 000 less 20% to FIDE = USD 64, 000
Asia - USD 80, 000 less 20% to FIDE = USD 64, 000
Africa - USD 70, 000 less 20% to FIDE = USD 56, 000
It is now up to the Continents to use this financial incentive from FIDE to
generate additional sponsorship for the prize fund through a bidding process
out of which 20% shall go to the Continents. It is also possible for the
Continents to decide, which financial support they may wish to advance to
those Federations, which need them for their players, the stipends for the
officials as well as the nomination of tournament officials. It is
anticipated that these extra expenses will now be taken care of from the
additional sponsorship generated by the Continent.
As can be seen from the foregoing, the idea of using the Continental
Championship as basis for qualification to the World Championship will now
make it an important activity for the players and officials of the
Continents. It would also help to provide FIDE with a solid number of
events, which could be presented to a General Sponsor with additional
financial benefits to everyone.
Finally, it is very clear from our Statutes that decisions of the
Presidential Board are of a continuing nature until subject to review by
either the General Assembly or Executive Board at a subsequent meeting. In
the case of what has been decided on now by the Presidential Board, in
respect of the time control and the Continental Championship, it is our
respectful submission that this was well within the contemplation of the
General Assembly, when it mandated the Board to decide on these matters.
Such decisions, which have been validly taken by the Board, cannot therefore
be described as illegal.
I hope that with this clarification we can all join hands with the members
of the Presidential Board who are genuinely also working with all their
hearts for the benefit of chess to satisfy the needs of the players, the
zones, the Continents and all of FIDE.
Gens Una Sumus
Emmanuel Omuku
Executive Director
Footnote: The FIDE Asian Continental Board will meet in Tehran from 21-23
February to discuss this and other matters. The status of the Oceanic Zonal
will then become clear. If the proposal of Ignatius Leong gets up, the
Oceanic Zonal will be an official qualifier for the World Championships and
we will receive US$2,500 to help finance the event.
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
DAVID CORDOVER is preparing a bid for the next Australian Championships
(through the VCA) which he hopes to hold in an attractive venue in
Melbourne.
He is asking potential players in this event and other interested parties
for feedback on some matters relating to that event.
1. Do you think the Australian Championships should be run at new FIDE time
controls?
2. Would you accept a Championships where there were 2 rounds in a day? (if
played at the quicker FIDE time controls)
a) Some days
b) Most days
c) All Days
d) No Days
3. Should the Australian Championships be 11 rounds or 9 rounds?
4. Would it be preferable to hold the Australian Championships over 1 week
or 2 weeks?
5. What is the strongest factor in determining your participation in a
tournament of this kind?
a) Prize money
b) Location
c) Venue
d) Other confirmed entries
e) Prestige of title
f) Other
Complete this sentence:
The main goals of the Australian Championships are ....
6. Would you answer differently if these questions were regarding the
Australian Junior Championships?
Please provide comments or thoughts that you may have on how to run an ideal
Australian Championships and/or Junior Championships.
I believe that our goals are:
1. Provide a tournament which will attract all of Australia's best players.
This means good prizemoney and a nice venue.
Q) How do we attract the sponsors required to ensure a good prize fund and
venue?
A) By either televising the event, or by getting a large number of
subsidiary players involved.
Q) How do we get the numbers required?
A) By gearing the tournament format to be more appealing to the average
player.
Problem: Average players and Championships players have different ideas of
the ideal tournament.
Solution: Compromise.
David requests feedback at .
STEFAN DJURIC - SIMUL AT BOX HILL CHESS CLUB THIS TUESDAY
Grandmaster Stefan Djuric, winner of the recent Australian Open in Canberra,
will be visiting Melbourne this week.
He will give a simultaneous exhibition at Box Hill Chess Club on Tuesday
evening (February 6), starting at 7.30 pm.
A playing fee of $8 or $6 (concession) will be charged, with part of the
proceeds going to the Box Hill Chess Club.
A prize of $100 will be paid to the player providing the toughest
opposition.
The venue is the Carrington Centre, corner Carrington Road and Thurston
Street, Box Hill. Melway map 47 C 10.
Players who would like to take part in the exhibition should contact GERRIT
HARTLAND asap. E-mail to or phone 9878 3163.
GOLD COAST CHESS CLUB
Upcoming events:
10/11 Feb Gold Coast Tin Cup Under 1750 Rated event. Somerset College Sports
Pavilion. Prizes total $1,800. Contact INGRID THOMPSON
, 0412 939190.
The Bruce Harris Perpetual Trophy is an 8-round Swiss Competition (60 mins
a-side) commencing 7th February (Wed nights at Nerang). The winner receives
$100 prize-money and the Bruce Harris Trophy. Enquiries: DAVID RICHARDS on
07 55306468 .
The Gold Coast Champion Challenge commences the 28th February (Wed nights at
Nerang). This is a 7 round Swiss tournament (90 mins a-side) conducted on
the last Wednesday of every month, concluding with a round-robin play-off
for the top 4 finishers. The round-robin will be played over 3 weeks in
October. If players are level after the round-robin the results of the Swiss
draw are to be used to separate the players. The Prize Money for this
competition will be $500. Enquiries: DAVID RICHARDS on 07 55306468
CORRESPONDENCE
MARK MCKENZIE
You asked for thoughts on the new FIDE time controls
I think they should have simply made it 40 moves in 90 minutes with the 30
sec per move from move 1 and put an end to the (psychological?) 40th move
barrier.
People should now note that the new controls now require them to KEEP
RECORDING MOVES.
(FIDE LAWS 8.1 and 8.4)
JOHN PAUL WALLACE
I was very surprised to read about the new FIDE time limits. I can only say
that I hope it is some sort of mistake because the quality of the chess
games themselves would be drastically reduced.
Very best wishes to all.
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.auschess.org.au
Chess - the clever sport!
PS - If you do not wish to receive this bulletin in future, please email
wgardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au