ACF Bulletin No. 117 - 20 May 2001
IN THIS
ISSUE
New time controls, Letter to the Minister of Sport,
Cooperation with New Zealand, Australasian Internet Challenge, 2001 Grand Prix,
Canberra plays overseas clubs, Gold Coast Chess Week and Gold Coast Open, The
Tableland Chess Open, Super Tournament in Kazakhstan.
NEW TIME
CONTROLS
The ACF Council has approved an additional time
control to allow for 30 second increments from the start of games.
The following motion was passed as an addition to
the rules regarding rating of games already in use, as a trial until the next
national conference.
"Games using increments in the time control will be
accepted for rating in the normal rating system provide they are of the form
G/Xmins + Ysecs per move from move 1 where X and Y are 30 or greater or where X
is 60 or greater. Time limits of G/Xmins + Ysecs where X is 15-29 will be rated
in the rapid system irrespective of the value of Y as will those where X is
30-59 and Y is less than 30".
LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF
SPORT AND SHADOW MINISTER
I give below a copy of a letter written by
Michelle Wagner of Gladstone and the reply she received from
the office of the Shadow Minister, Kate Lundy. I 'm
including this simply as an example of a well thought out letter that
I believe helps our cause. An avalanche of letters would be a big help at this
time when the political parties are finalising their policies before the
election. What we need is an elected government to bring in legislation that
leaves the Australian Sports Commission with no alternative but to regard chess
as a fully recognised serious sport (not a recreation). It would certainly be
helpful if you could copy me, or at least let me know that you have sent a
letter. Letters can be sent to Jackie Kelly and/or Kate
Lundy at Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2601 or by email
Jackie Kelly Jackie.Kelly.MP@aph.gov.au
Kate Lundy senator.lundy@aph.gov.au.
***
Dear Ms Kelly,
According to the
Collins Dictionary, sport is, I quote: "An individual or group activity pursued
for exercise or pleasure, often taking a competitive form" or "any pastime
indulged in for pleasure".
So why is it that your government has
yet to recognise Chess as a sport?
Surely, it fufils this apt
definition.
I ask you to delve into the history of Chess as a sport
and consider its value to all Australians.
It is only when you
consider the very nature of the activity that you realise the thoughts, feelings
and dedication to this sport is equal or above any rival.
It is
certainly non-contact but so are so many others. It stimulates the mind and
body, involving strategic thought and processes, and stamina.
It is
not dissimilar to other sports in its requirements for dedication and
commitment.
My child loves chess - his sport. Without chess, he
would have very little opportunity to be part of a club and experience the highs
and lows of competition. - That's what this sport has given him.
Why is the government so concerned only with physical prowess?
Surely, Australian culture has evolved to a standard that recognises all sports
- mind and body.
I ask you to help promote legislation that aligns
this sport with others of which our country is so proud.
Australia
has some brilliant up-and-coming chess youngsters who will do the nation proud
if given the opportunity now only afforded to those of physical
ability.
Regards
Michelle Wagner
***
Dear Michelle
Thank you for your e-mail to
Senator Lundy regarding the status of chess. Senator Lundy has received many
representations from Australians regarding chess, and will certainly consider
this matter in her sports policy deliberations.
Simon Tatz
Senior Adviser
Office of Senator
Kate Lundy
Shadow Minister for Sport, Youth Affairs and Assisting on
Information Technology
Ph: 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
simon.tatz@aph.gov.au
COOPERATION WITH NEW
ZEALAND
I am very encouraged by the current very high
levels of cooperation between the ACF and the NZCF. I have already had several
productive discussions with NZCF President, Bob Smith and his colleagues which
augur well for the future. Bob has started sending out a regular email bulletin
which makes interesting reading. Of particular interest at present is the
planned 'Girls Chess Week' where the NZCF will be promoting girls chess for the
period 28 May to 1 June.
AUSTRALASIAN INTERNET
CHALLENGE
The five games between the various Australian
states and territories and the North and South islands of New Zealand are
hotting up. You may still register to join your state/territory team or simply
view the games at http://www.auschess.org.au/interstate/istatemain.htm
CANBERRA PLAYS OVERSEAS
CLUBS
Last Sunday night, Canberra played in a rapid
tournament on the internet against teams consisting of 6 players from
Iceland
(Gardabaer), Sweden (LASK)and The Netherlands (Soest). Despite coming
last the event was very succesful and enjoyable. Best players on the Canberran
side were Michael Wei who scored 2 out 3, and Ian Rout and Isaac Arsanis scoring
1 out of 1 each. All games can be downloaded in PGN format from http://www.vks.is/tg/ and some will be put on
Ian Rout's webpage http://www.lexicon.net/ianandjan/ianspage.htm
The final standings and results
were:
Soest 12
Gardabaer
10.5
LASK
8
Canberra 5.5
GOLD COAST CHESS WEEK AND GOLD COAST
OPEN
The week will open with a Corporate Charity Teams
Challenge at the Radisson Resort on Sunday 17 June.
GM Ian Rogers and IM Gary Lane will be
coaching in Gold Coast schools during chess week 17-24 June. Chess week will
incorporate 10th anniversary celebrations including complimentary refreshments
after play on the Saturday night of the Gold Coast Open. Ian Rogers will give a
simultaneous display on Wednesday adult club night and both he and Gary will
take part in a GMs v Young Guns Super Blitz on Thursday junior club evening. On
both of these occasions complimentary refreshments will be provided.
The Gold Coast Open, a Grand Prix class three tournament, will be held in a
brand new venue a short distance from Somerset College where it has been held
for the last eight years. The Robina Town Centre Community Hall is a large,
carpeted, air conditioned venue, with cafes and restaurants very close by. It
was used last Tuesday/Wednesday for Gold Coast Primary Schools chess round two
with nearly 700 students participating. I'm sure the players will love it.
Prizes total $2,500 with a first prize of $750. There are seven rounds with
new time controls 30 mins a side plus 30 secs a move from the start. This means
a 60 move game will last about two hours. It also means that players will have
to score throughout and undignified time scrambles will be a thing of the
past.
Entry forms from
Graeme Gardiner 290 Worongary Road,
Worongary Qld 4213 Phone/Fax 07 5530 5794 Email
graemeg@bigpond.net.au
THE TABLELAND CHESS
OPEN
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th of August.2001
Atherton
State High School. This Event will be a 5 Round Swiss. Games will be 40 moves in
90 minutes, then 30 minutes allergro finish. Round 1 9:00am 18th August Round 2
2:00pm 18th August Round 3 7:00pm 18th August Round 4 9:00am 19th
August
Round 5 2:00pm 19th
August
Entry Fees: C.A.Q. Members Adults $40.00 Students & Pensioners
$35.00 Juniors
$30.00
Non C.A.Q.Members Adults $50 Students and Pensioners $45 Juniors
$40
Prize Money: 1st $200 2nd $100 3rd $ 75 All prize money depends on entry
number. Rating Groups,Upset prizes and more will be presented. Other items
donated from our sponsors will also be given as prizes.This gives everyone a
chance to win. Players can only win one prize. In the event of a tie prize money
will be shared equally.
Accommodation:
MountainView Caravan Park.Ph.(07)40914144.
Atherton Blue Gum
Bed&Breakfast.Ph.(07)40915412orEmail:bluegum1@tpg.com.au
www.bnbnq.com.au/bluegum
Motel Atherton.Ph.(07)40911500. Please support these places as they have
supported us.
All Accommodation is within walking distance of the Venue.
Please Book Early.
Sponsors:Mountain View Park, Atherton Blue Gum
Bed&Breakfast, Motel Atherton,
Haymans Electrical. More Sponsors To Be
Added At A Later Date. Details To Be Worked Out.
A Updated Flyer Will Be Sent
Out With All Sponsors Names.
Catering: There will be a food
van on site.
Registration: At 8:30am, August 18th Round 1 will start at
9:00am.
Late entrants: Will be subject to late pairing rules. No late fee.
Considered late if after 9am.
Early entry forms are appreciated so we are not
rushed on the day thank you.
No Refunds after 9:00am on the 18th of
August.
Cheques made payable to J.Tompkins and entries sent to: 6 Rose
Street,Atherton,Queensland,4883.
All Cheques and money orders must be
received by Friday the 10th of August so they can be cleared.
Enquiries:
Glen Tomkins (07)40914278 Email:
glenpro@tpg.com.au
SUPER TOURNAMENT IN
KAZAKHSTAN
Dear Chess Friends,
Do you know of the forthcoming International Super Tournament in Astana,
Kazakhstan? Kasparov is going to face Kramnik again!
In the period of May 20 - June 1 Astana City, the new capital of Kazakhstan
will host an International Super Tournament dedicated to the 10th anniversary of
Kazakhstan's Independence.
The games will start at 3 p.m.
local time (GMT +6) Venue: Astana City
Participants: Vladimir Kramnik, Garry Kasparov, Alexander
Morozevich, Alexey Shirov, Boris Gelfand, Darmen Sadvakasov.
Technical support of the LIVE Internet display will be provided by FIDE
COMMERCE INTERNATIONAL.
Very best wishes to all.
Graeme Gardiner
Chess - the clever sport!