ACF Bulletin No. 103 - 11 February 2001
IN THIS ISSUE
Chess Wedding of the Year, Corporate Chess Teams event in Sydney, Selections
for World Junior Championships and World Youth Festival, News from WA, New
President for New Zealand Chess Federation, January 2002 Australian
Championships and Australian Juniors, 2001 Grand Prix, Vote for 'FAQ' in the
Logies, University of Queensland Chess Club, The 35th Ballarat Begonia Chess
Tournament, Gold Coast Tin Cup, Sterling Struggle for Shaw Shield, Israel
Open Championship, Correspondence.
**********
CHESS WEDDING OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to GARY LANE and NANCY JONES who married in Sydney on
Friday. I'm sure that we all wish them a lot more success than Gary's
favourite soccer team who are currently propping up the lowest division in
the English Football League! Seriously, we wish Gary and Nancy a long and
happy marriage.
**********
CORPORATE CHESS TEAMS EVENT IN SYDNEY
AMIEL R ROSARIO <Amiel.R.Rosario@aexp.com>
is looking into the possibility
of running a chess event as part of the Corporate Games in Sydney which this
year are being run from 15 to 18 March. Whilst any corporate chess event run
by Australian chess does not necessarily have to be part of 'The Corporate
Games', it probably makes sense. If anyone is interested in being involved
in trying to get this off the ground, please let me know.
**********
SELECTIONS FOR WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WORLD YOUTH FESTIVAL
Junior Selection Coordinator BRETT TINDALL has provided this list of
prospects (very rough at this stage) from the Australian Juniors and asks if
those listed could contact him to confirm their availability or otherwise.
He also asks for other nominations for selection. Brett's email is
<sydneyacademy@iprimus.com.au>.
Boys
U/10
KHOI HOANG (already applied), NATHANAEL LIM, JOSHUA LEVIN, JUSTIN HUANG.
U/12
DUSAN STOIJIC, CASEY BARNARD, MICHAEL WEI, RUPERTO LUGO.
U/14
SAM CHOW, PETER JOVANOVIC, VINCENT SUTTOR, ZHENGBO WANG, KEN XIE, GARETH
OLIVER.
U/16
ZONG YUAN ZHAO, KUAN KUAN TIAN, GEORGE XIE, SHERVIN RAFIZADEH, DENIS
BOURMISTROV.
U/18
JUSTIN TAN, MICHAEL LIP, KUAN KUAN TIAN, GEORGE XIE, SHERVIN RAFIZADEH,
DENIS BOURMISTROV.
U/20
ZONG YUAN ZHAO
Girls
U/12
MICHELLE LEE, HEATHER HUDDLESTON (has applied), VANNESS REID, AMY EVANS.
U/14
KATERYNA MOSHNENKO, JADE LAUER SMITH, JESSICA PINK.
U/16
CATHERINE LIP, SHANNON OLIVER.
U/18
LAURA MOYLAN, MARIJA JOVANOVIC.
**********
NEWS FROM WA - GARRY TAYLOR (SECRETARY)
I am very pleased to report that four members of the CAWA were honoured on
14 December by being presented with an Australian Sports Medal 2000 by Mrs
Cheryl Edwardes MLA. The worthy recipients, ROBERT (BOB) PILGRIM, NORBERT
MULLER, DAVID ELLIS and FRED MARIS were very proud that their efforts over
the years for the State Association have been recognised in such a manner.
In her speech, Cheryl advised that the Commonwealth Government produced the
Australian Sports Medal to celebrate Australia's sporting achievements. The
medal will provide recognition for current and former sports participants
and those who have contributed to sport through the provision of support
services. A very impressive certificate signed by the Prime Minister and the
Governor-General of Australia accompanied the medals.
Cheryl also emphasised the benefit of having chess in Western Australia
recognised as a sport.
The Australian Sports Medal is not intended to be restricted to athletes and
others connected with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, but rather to celebrate
the nation's wider sporting achievement. Each recipient gave a short speech
but all had a similar theme. Their voluntary work and effort put in over
many years was done so because they loved the game of chess and had a
personal desire to ensure the sport in WA was organised in a successful
manner for the benefit of the wider community. They did not seek such
distinguished recognition but were extremely proud to accept the very
special award.
**********
NEW PRESIDENT FOR NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION
BOB SMITH, who is well known in Australia and who regularly plays in
Australian events, has been elected as the new President of New Zealand
chess. We wish him well in his new role.
**********
JAN 2002 - AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND AUSTRALIAN JUNIORS
We would appreciate bids for these two events by 15 March in order that
copies may be circulated to the ACF Council prior to its meeting.
**********
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 <george.lithgow@bigpond.com>
17/18 Feb Taree RSL Summer Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
<endel@fasternet.com.au>
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
<sjaich@tpg.com.au>
17/18 Mar South West Open WA Cat 1 ALAN PHILLIPS <alanglo@tpg.com.au>
13-16 Apl Doeberl Cup ACT Cat 3 ROGER MCCART 02-6251-6190
<roger.mccart@anu.edu.au>
13-16 Apl Sydney Easter Cup NSW Cat ? PETER HANNA <rational@mpx.com.au>
20-22 Apl Univ of Qld QLD Cat 3 DAVID COWLAND-COOPER 0414 498556
<uqchess@hotmail.com>
5/6 May Hobson's Bay Open VIC Cat 1 PETER CAISSA 0411 710900
<pcaissa@melbpc.org.au>
5/6 May Laurieton Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
<endel@fasternet.com.au>
5-7 May Redcliffe Peninsula Open QLD Cat 1 MARK STOKES 07 3205
6042<mstokes@bne.catholic.edu.au>
19/20 May Adelaide Cup SA Cat 1 ROLAND EIME 08 8268 1374
<eimes@senet.com.au>
19/20 May NSWCA Cat 1 ROBERT KEAST 02 9649 8614 <rkeast@comtech.com.au>
8/10/11 June NSWCA Queen's Birthday Weekender Cat 1 ROBERT KEAST 02 9649
8614 <rkeast@comtech.com.au>
9/10 June Queen's Birthday Weekender SA Cat 1 ROLAND EIME 08 8268 1374
<eimes@senet.com.au>
9-11 June Queen's Birthday Weekender TAS Cat 1 KEVIN BONHAM 03 6224 8487
<k_bonham@utas.edu.au>
23/24 June Taree RSL Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
<endel@fasternet.com.au>
23/24 June Gold Coast Open QLD Cat 3 GRAEME GARDINER 07 5530 5794
<ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au>
30Jun/1Jul Suncoast Weekender QLD Cat 3 ROBERT HOCHSTADT 07 5447
5056<toothfairy@spiderweb.com.au>
28/29 Jul ANU Open ACT Cat 3 SHAUN PRESS 02 6255 2040
<shaun.press@cs.anu.edu.au>
4/5 Aug Mackay Open QLD Cat 1 STAN LONG HONG 07 4953 4573
<computer5000@hotmail.com>
4/5 August NSWCA Cat 1 ROBERT KEAST 02 9649 8614 <rkeast@comtech.com.au>
25/26 August Launceston Weekender TAS Cat 1 LEO MINOL 03 6344 7472
<leominol@telstra.easymail.com.au>
22/23 Sep Gold Coast Classic QLD Cat 3 GRAEME GARDINER 07 5530 5794
<ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au>
29/30 Sep Lidum's Cup SA Cat 1 ROLAND EIME 08 8268 1374 <eimes@senet.com.au>
6/7 Oct Redcliffe Challenge QLD Cat 1 MARK STOKES 07 3205 6042
<mstokes@bne.catholic.edu.au>
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
<endel@fasternet.com.au>
17-19 Nov Tasmanian Open TAS Cat 1 NEVILLE LEDGER 03 6431 1280
<nlchess@tassie.net.au>
17/18 Nov Taree RSL Spring Open NSW Cat 1 ENDEL LANE 02 6559 9060
<endel@fasternet.com.au>
24/25 November NSWCA Cat 1 ROBERT KEAST 02 9649 8614 <rkeast@comtech.com.au>
8/9 Dec Tuggeranong Vikings Weekender ACT Cat 1 LEE FORACE 02 9556 3960
<ljforace@hotmail.com>
15/16 December Melbourne Chess Club Christmas Swiss VIC Cat 2 GARY BEKKER 03
9877 3214 <gbekker@mira.net>
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, Geelong Open, Melbourne Cup. 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
<chessnut@windsor.net.au>.
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.
**********
VOTE FOR 'FAQ' IN THE LOGIES
ADAM SPENCER is probably the media celebrity who does most to promote chess
in Australia, and as a reward for his services why not vote for FAQ in the
best light entertainment category in the logies. I'm sure many of you will
have heard his morning show this week on triple j where his 'word of the
day' has been some of those sexy words from chess - if you missed him, watch
this space because I 'm hoping he'll share the goods with us. . . . perhaps
he'll also tell us how to go about casting our votes.
**********
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND CHESS CLUB - DAVID COWLAND-COOPER
<uqchess@hotmail.com> http://www.geocities.com/sidechannelattack
An activity of the Queensland University Games Society -
http://www.qugs.org.au
**********
THE 35TH BALLARAT BEGONIA CHESS TOURNAMENT - BAS VAN RIEL
It is only about one month (10-12 March, long weekend) before the 35th
Ballarat Begonia Open Chess Tournament will be held. The venue and playing
conditions are unique and (arguably, I admit) the best in Australia. We h=
ave
made a special deal with Craigs Hotel across the road which would make
socialising and drinking even more enjoyable!
As long as I can remember (going back about 15 years) the weather in
Ballarat has always been fantastic during the tournament! Camping could be
an option! And, of course, the long weekend is part of the traditional
Begonia Festival with lots of things to see, to do and to experience between
the (7) rounds.
Let's make it again an enjoyable and memorable event by playing in the
Ballarat Begonia Open! We hope to see you all. Please contact us for
bookings or further queries.
The Organising Committee
Kevin Perrin <kevinp@ppt.com.au>
Patrick Cook
Bas van Riel <basvanriel@dingoblue.net.au>
**********
GOLD COAST TIN CUP
There were 97 entrants in this six round weekender for players rated under
1750. Total prizes $1,800.
Results:
1st Matt Sonter 6/6 ($500), 2nd Nikolai Hart 5.5/6, 3rd=3D Evan Jones, Chris
Flynn, Ross Jempson, Sean Karita and Phachara Wongwichit 5/6.
**********
STERLING STRUGGLE FOR SHAW SHIELD
[North Sydney Leagues Club Chess Club Editor's Note: The following article
by PAUL GLISSAN clearly illustrates the extent to which NSLCCC Members are
represented in the legal profession. The late TERREY SHAW was an
International Master and Club Champion on no less than five occasions in
1988, 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995 whilst two time Australian Champion JOHN
PURDY has been Club Champion 11 times and MALCOLM STEPHENS once.]
In the advent of the New Millennium and the Century of Federation, a
sterling struggle for the Terrey Shaw Memorial Shield took place on 17
November 2000 at the Law Society's Lounge and Dining Room. The Shield is the
prize for the winner of the annual Bench and Bar v Solicitors chess match
,
in memory of the late esteemed Terrey Shaw (formerly of Culwulla chambers),
who died in 1997.
The Shield has been a resident of the trophy cabinet in the Bar Common Room
since the inception of the Match in 1993. This year, however, the task of
maintaining its residency there was made Herculean by the simultaneous
absences from the Bench and Bar Team of many of its strongest players-The
Honourable Justice J.S. PURDY of the Family Court of Australia (multiple
former Australian Chess Champion) was on circuit in Queensland; TIM REILLY
(Observer of the Australian Chess Team at the recent Chess Olympiad in
Istanbul) was still overseas; BEN INGRAM had a professional commitment;
STEVEN RARES SC was celebrating Ellicott QC's magnificent half century at
the Bar; and Michael Hall was recuperating from his final submissions on
behalf of JOHN MARSDEN.
On the other hand, the Solicitors were strengthened by the recent return
from London of their former captain, MALCOLM STEPHENS (one of Australia's
strongest players), who drew with Shaw in his last game, on Board 1, in the
Bar Common Room in 1996. Indeed, so strong were the Solicitors this year
that their current Captain, the aptly named ADRIAN CHEK (who defeated
Australia's second strongest player, Grandmaster DARRYL JOHANSEN), was
playing on Board 3.
This year's Match was played on 13 Boards, arranged in order of descending
strength according to current ratings or recent performance, with a limit of
one hour per player to complete the game. A thrilling struggle ensued. BOB
COLQUHOUN (former Australian Chess Federation President) got the Bench and
Bar off to a good start with a win on Board 7. The Solicitors then drew
ahead with wins on Boards 12 and 13. The Bench and Bar then won on Boards 6,
8, 9, 10 and 11, but lost on Boards 2 and 4. In the opinion of the Director
of Play, MORRIS NEEDLEMAN, KEN PRYDE, with the white pieces on Board 1,
"never quite equalised" against Stephens, and eventually lost his
first game
against the Solicitors in the history of the Match in a classic pawn ending.
With minutes remaining on his clock, MALCOLM BROUN QC judiciously agreed to
a draw on Board 5, resulting in an unlosable lead of 6 =BD-5 =BD in favour of
the Bench and Bar, but with one game remaining, on Board 3.
Could the Bench and Bar win? HORST BLEICHER had been recruited from
retirement from practice at the Bar to play on Board 3. With two or three
minutes remaining on his and Chek's clocks, his position looked equal, if
not slightly superior. Everyone clustered around to watch the unfolding
drama. Not realising the score, Chek (as he revealed later) mulled over the
possibility of offering a draw, which would have resulted in a win for the
Bench and Bar by 7-6. But he played on.
Then a truly Hickory Dickory thing happened. Without human intervention,
Chek's clock suddenly advanced 25 minutes. Nobody saw it happen. Nobody can
explain how it happened. Nobody has ever seen it happen before. Bleicher
claimed a win on time. Because of the clock malfunction, his claim was
rightly refused. The Director of Play stopped the game, removed the erratic
clock, replaced it with another (after resetting it to the times displayed
on the original clock before its malfunction) and restarted the game.
The atmosphere was now akin to that during the bowling of the last ball of
the last over in the famous Tied Test against the West Indies 40 years ago.
Everybody was riveted by the rapid progress of the pieces as the remaining
seconds ticked away. Chess's equivalent to a cricket run-out
happened-Bleicher's flag fell. Chek had won on time, and the match was tied
6 =BD-6 =BD! Silver cups were presented to both Chek and Bleicher for their
sterling game. Copious quantities of red were consumed to restore everybody's
nervous equilibrium.
The consensus is that this was the best match yet played. Unlike the
Bledisloe Cup, the Shield will spend six months with the Solicitors and six
months back in the trophy cabinet in the Bar Common Room.
In this Olympic year, it is appropriate to recall that Terrey Shaw
represented Australia in no less than nine consecutive International Chess
Olympiads, from 1968 to 1984, and won the gold medal for the best percentage
score on Board 6 in Yugoslavia in 1972. He was an International Chess
Master, and was an authoritative, entertaining and widely read chess writer
for the Herald The Bulletin for many years.
In the 1993 "Bar News" Shaw, with characteristic modesty, wrote: 'The
handsome perpetual shield . is now on display in the common room trophy
cabinet. Have a look at it quickly, as we may not be able to hang onto it
next year.'
In true Gladiatorial spirit, the Bench and Bar have not yet loosened their
grip on the Shield.
PAUL R GLISSAN, Captain, Bench and Bar Team
**********
ISRAEL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Sol & Sissy Mark Center, 26 Tagore St., Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, April 9-17,
2001 Prize fund : 19,000 USD
The tournament is open to Elo-rated players and provides opportunities for
attaining norms and titles. The inclusion of a few unrated players will be
considered individually.
Time limit: 9 swiss-system rounds. 40 moves in two hours and additional one
hour for the rest of the game.
Entry fee: Unrated players 100 USD, Elo 2000 - 2200 70 USD, Elo 2201 - 2400
50 USD, Elo 2400 and above 30 USD. GM, IM, WGM, WIM - free of charge.
Special conditions are offered to GMs and IMs. Please contact IM DMITRY
TYOMKIN (for hotel and transport inquiries as well). E-mail:
<dimatyomkin@hotmail.com>
Tel: 972-3-6437627, Fax: 972-3-6437630 E-mail:
<chess1@isdn.net.il>
**********
CORRESPONDENCE
ROLAND BROCKMAN
Re - Eligibility for Australian Championship Reserves.
To be eligible for the Australian Championship players must obviously
satisfy certain criteria related to playing strength but also (please
correct me if I am wrong) be Australian or New Zealand citizens (or have
permanent resident status). The exception is that some strong overseas
players may on occasion be invited; eg: Tony Miles a few years ago.
The Reserves has been for Australian (& New Zealand ?) citizens not eligible
for the Championship. The original idea I gather was so that if a player in
the Championship dropped out then someone from the Reserves could take their
place. An odd idea, how can someone join the Australian Championship in the
middle of the tournament?
This criteria for the Reserves led to an unfortunate situation a few years
ago when a foreign player was admitted, apparently to even up the numbers.
It was decided that he would not be eligible for any prize money but he was
only told this AFTER he had already entered, indeed not until the last few
rounds.
We have a little time up our sleeves before the next national titles and it
might be valuable to take another look at the eligibility criteria for the
Reserves - remember we don't have to stick to that name. We could possibly
consider the way the British Championships are run. The 'Major Open' is open
to all players on the planet except those eligible for the championship
proper. I.e. anyone can get to play in a tournament if they wish to. If
foreign players want to play chess with us for two weeks it seems a shame
not to benefit both from their entry fee and the experience of playing them.
If on the other hand a holidaying Russian GM walked off with the first prize
cash then local players might well feel aggrieved. Perhaps a differing prize
scale for foreign players could apply?
I am merely tossing ideas around, not offering anything concrete and
certainly not pretending to be an expert on the matter. At the very least it
might be an idea to clarify the rules for eligibility to the Reserves and
make sure that everyone understands them BEFORE the tournament starts.
**********
All the very best.
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!