Chess Victoria President IM Leonid Sandler recently announced that the Championship will be held at the Sphinx Entertainment Centre, North Geelong, Vic from 27 December 2011 to 8 January 2012 (eleven rounds with rest days on 1 and 5 January). Pending the release of more information and the establishment of a tournament site see chesschat or CV or ACF for updates.

2011 Oceania Seniors’ Championship

Playing dates: From Friday 5 to Monday 8 August 2011

Entry Fees: $60. Free entry for Grandmasters and International Masters.

Age limit: 60 for men, 50 for women (as at 31 December 2011)
Venue: Box Hill Chess Club at 3 Rochester Road Canterbury, Vic.

More information: http://www.boxhillchess.org.au/e2011/e1108sozc/event.htm

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GENERAL NEWS

2011 Queensland and NSW Championships

These events both commence shortly. The Integra NSW State Championship field is led by IM George Xie followed by FM Vladimir Smirnov, FM Max Illingworth and FM Viktor Berezin and will be held over nine Tuesdays from 24 May at norths, Cammeray. Top seeds for the Queensland Championship, to be held at Gardiner Chess Centre from 9 to 13 June, are currently IM Stephen Solomon, FM Gene Nakauchi and Yi Liu.

See NSW link and Qld link for details.

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JUNIOR CHESS

AusJCL Calendar (National and International)

See http://www.australian-junior-youth-chess.blogspot.com/ or the AusJCL page for calendars, selection details, etc. Note that events are often changed so it is advisable to check frequently for updates.

GM Ian Rogers has supplied the following updated calendar, with better links for some events:

International

1-11 June Asian Junior Championships (U\20) Colombo, Sri Lanka

12-21 June ASEAN+ Age Group Ch. (U/8 – U/20) Tarakan, Indonesia

24 June – 4 July Commonwealth Championships (Open and Junior) Gauteng, South Africa

1-16 August World Junior Championships (U\20) Chennai, India

12-23 August FISU University Olympiad Shenzen, China

17-26 August Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

27-28 August Merdeka Teams Rapid Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

5-10 September Kuala Lumpur Open Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

23 October - 1 November World U/16 Olympiad Sanliurfa, Turkey

12 Nov – 22 November World Youth Championships (U\8 – U\18), Caldas Novas, Goias, Brazil

15-23 January 2012 Queenstown Classic Queenstown, New Zealand

National

20 June ACT U/12 Championships

27 June – 2 July Queensland Junior Championships, Brisbane

2-3 July Victorian U/10 and U/12 Championships

4-9 July Johns-Putra JETS Camp, Melbourne

11-14 July Victorian U/14, U/16 and U/18 Championships

10-15 July NSW Junior Championships

14-15 July SA Junior Championship U/12 – U/18

28-30 September ACT Junior (U/18) Championships

29-30 September NSW Girls Championship (U/18)

5-7 October City of Sydney Junior Championships (U/18, U/15, U/12)

6-7 October Adelaide Junior Championships U/12 – U/18

30-31 October ACT U/14 Championships

27 December – 8 January Australian Championships Geelong, Victoria

14-22 January 2012 Australian Junior Championships Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Victoria

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RESULTS

Recent GP weekend results

No GP events have been held since the last newsletter.

2011 ACT Women and Girls’ Chess Festival

Alana Chibnall won this tournament (Canberra, ACT, 21 to 22 May) with Kezia Karenina second and Kathleen Tong and Emma Dunstone equal third.

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COMING EVENTS

Grand Prix events

May 27-29 Geelong Open [3], Geelong, Vic link

June 4-5 Foundation Day Open [4], Perth, WA link

June 11-13 NSW Open [5], Sydney, NSW link

June 11-13 Victorian Open [4], Melbourne, Vic link

June 11-13 Tasmanian Open [1], Hobart, Tas link

June 11-13 Queen’s Birthday Weekender [1], Adelaide, SA link

June 25-26 Gold Coast Open [5], Gold Coast, Qld link

2011 GP calendar link

2011 Geelong Open Chess Championship (May 27 – 29)

A Two & Half-day, 6 round Swiss tournament startng Friday 27th May and finishing Sunday 29th May, 2011.

Venue: Geelong Conference Centre, Adams Court, Eastern Gardens, East Geelong. Vic - set amongst the picturest Eastern Gardens.

Grand Prix Class 3 event.

Rate of Play: 60 minutes/player + 30 seconds/move from move one.

Scoring: 1 point = Win 0.5 point = Draw 0.5 point = Bye

Byes: 1 Bye only available per player, & only available for rounds 1 & 2.

Only players whom have entered & paid by early bird date will be eligible to take up the bye option.

Prizes: $2,000.00 plus ratings group prizes. Prizefund: $2,825.00

1st: $1,000. 2nd: $600. 3rd: $400

Group B 1st: $150 2nd: $75

Group C 1st: $150 2nd: $75

Group D 1st: $150 2nd: $75

Junior 1st: $100 2nd: $50

Playing dates/times: Friday 27th May: Round 1 7.00pm

Saturday 28th May: Round 2 9.30am. Round 3 1.00pm. Round 4 6.30pm. Sunday 29^th May: Round 5 10.00am. Round 6 2.30pm

Ratings: ACF Rated

Entry fees: FULL $75. H.C.C. $60 (Copy of Health Care Card must be produced with entry). JUNIORS $40 [U/18 ]

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT$10.00. Free Entry for Grand Masters & Internatonal Masters provided entries received by early bird date.

Early Bird Date: Friday 29th April , 2011.

Registraton 1 hour prior to start.

Cash or cheque to Geelong Chess Club Inc. C/-Secretary 4 / 105 GERTRUDE ST., GEELONG WEST. VIC. 3218.

Enquiries: Terry Feduniw, tournament organiser. Phone:- 0425 725 044 E-mail:- terry@geelong.metroll.com.au

or Owen Courts , Secretary . Phone:- 03-5221-7950

Club website http://www.geelongchess.com/

2011 Billanook College Chess Championship Cup

Northern Star Chess is conducting the BCCC series of tournaments again in 2011.
This year the series will consist of 5 weekend tournaments at Billanook College in Mooroolbark* and is open to all junior and adult chess players from beginner to master strength.
Dates For The Five Weekend Tournaments:
1. Already held
2. Sunday 5th June
3. Saturday 13th August
4. Sunday 18th September
5. Saturday 5th November (Final Event – Grand Prizes Presentation)
VENUE: Billanook College, 197-199 Cardigan Road, Mooroolbark, Victoria 3138 (Melway Ref: [52 C1])
COST: $15 per tournament
FORMAT: 7 round Swiss
TIME CONTROL: 15 minutes per player
PRIZES: Cash prizes are offered for each of the 5 individual tournaments, along with medals and trophies. Individual scores for each tournament accumulate over all 5 events to determine the grand prizes and winners of the perpetual Billanook College Chess Championship cups, to be presented at the conclusion of the final event. The 2011 prize structure has been modified to simplify prize award and balance eligibility for prizes between adults and juniors. For more information, visit the Northern Star Chess website: http://www.northernstarchess.com/Billanook_prizes.html
TIME: Register and pay by 9:30 am. Tournaments run from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT: Please register and pay online at Northern Star Chess http://www.northernstarchess.com/Billanook_reg.html
ENQUIRIES: info@NorthernStarChess.com

2011 Queen’s Birthday tournaments (June 11-13)

The NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian Opens will all take place over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend at Parramatta RSL (O’Connell and Macquarie Sts), Box Hill Chess Club (3 Rochester Rd Canterbury) and Princes St Primary School, Sandy Bay, Hobart respectively. Adelaide will also host a weekender. For details see

http://www.nswca.org.au/tournaments/NSW_Open_Brochure_2011.pdf

http://chessvictoria.netfirms.com/2011vic_open_championship.htm

http://www.chesstasmania.org.au/events/TasOpen_11.htm

http://www.sachess.org/

2011 Gold Coast Open (June 25-26)

'Yulgilbar-Think Big' Australian Chess Grand Prix event - Category 5
Nearly $7,000 in Prizes

Grandmaster Darryl Johansen is a confirmed entry. Famous US Grandmaster Maurice Ashley is almost certain to play.
Venue: Gardiner Chess Centre 11 Hardys Road Mudgeeraba
Dates: Saturday & Sunday 25 & 26 June 2011
Registration: 8.30 to 9:00 am, Round 1 commences 9.30am
Prizes - Open Division: 1st $1,500, 2nd $1,000, 3rd $500 ,4th $300, 5th $250, 6th $200, 7th $150 & 8th $100
Under 2000 rating group: 1st $200 2nd $100 3rd $50.

Prizes - Under 1600 Division: 1st $500, 2nd $200, 3rd $100. Two ratings groups: 1st $150, 2nd $75.

Prizes - Under 1000 Division: 1st $500 2nd $200 3rd $100. Two ratings groups: 1st $150 2nd $75
Organiser: Graeme Gardiner. Chief Arbiter: Charles Zworestine
Format: 60 mins+10 secs a move (Fischer)
Playing times: Sat 25 June - Round 1 9.30am. Round 2 12 noon. Round 3 2.30pm. Round 4 5.00pm.
Sun 26 June - Round 5 9.30am. Round 6 12 noon. Round 7 2.30pm. Presentations: 5.30pm.
Notes: There is a forfeit time for late arrivals of 30 minutes from the start of the round.
The Under 1600 tournament is perfect for club and social players, whilst the Under 1000 is great for kids and beginners.

The Chess Café and Shop will be open all weekend.
Fees: [deduct $10 from the fee if paid by Friday 24 June]. Open: Adults $95, Concession $65. Under 1600 Division: All players $65.
Under 1000 Division: All players $55

Further information: http://www.gardinerchess.com/brochures/2011/gcopen2011.pdf

2011 Checkmate Tournaments (SA) (July 9-10)

Checkmate Open Chess Tournament and Under 1600 Checkmate Challenge.

For the Checkmate Challenge players must be under 1600 on the ACF Rating List at 1st December 2010 or on the latest ACF Rating List at 1st July 2011, unrated players can also play. Under 1600 and unrated Players may compete in the Checkmate Open if they wish.

South Australia’s #1 Weekend Chess Event. A Category Four Yulgilbar-Think Big Grand Prix Event. 7- round Swiss Tournaments

Time Controls: 1 hour each + 10 seconds a move from move one, Forfeit time 30 minutes from scheduled start of play.

Arbiters IA Roland Eime, William Anderson-Smith

Entry Fees - Open; Adults $90, Pensioners, Unemployed & Full-time Students $75

Free Entry for Grandmaster & International Master players. Additional incentives may be available

Entry Fees - Under 1600: Adults $75, Pensioners, Unemployed & Full-time Students $65

Online entry available, see Website for details. Concession card required for discount entries Cheques payable to SA Chess Association Inc.

All players must be members of a State or Territory Chess Association

A Late Entry Fee of $10 will apply to all entries received after 11pm Thursday 7th July 2011

Website: www.sachess.org

Saturday: Opening 9.20am. Round 1 - 9.30am. Round 2 - 12.20pm. Round 3 - 3.15pm. Round 4 - 6.00pm.

Sunday: Round 5 - 9.30am. Round 6 - 12.20pm. Round 7 - 3.15pm. Prize Giving - 6.50pm.

Players may request up to two half point byes before the start of the tournament. Please indicate on the Entry Form

All Players must check in, in person, no later than 20 minutes before their first round, or make special arrangements with the organisers.

2011 Guy West Classic (July 16-17)

A 2011 Yulgilbar-Think Big Australian Chess Grand Prix event - Class 2

This is the third year Croydon CC have hosted a weekender. In line with our plan to gradually build our weekender up, this year we have increased the prize fund so it will be a Class 2 event. We have also moved it from the first weekend in October (as that weekend now clashes with the 2011 AFL Grand Final!) to the last weekend of school holidays in July (we have good heating...)
SCHEDULE: Saturday 16th: Players need to register and pay by 10:45 am. Round 1: 11:00 am. Round 2: 3:00 pm. Round 3: 7:00 pm.
Sunday 17th: Round 4: 11:00 am. Round 5: 3:00 pm.
VENUE: Croydon RSL, 1 Civic Sq, Croydon VIC 3136. About 400m from Croydon station. Melways: 50 - J4
FORMAT: Five round Swiss system. Games will be governed by the FIDE laws of chess and will be ACF rated.
FORFEIT TIME: Late arrival by 30 minutes from the start of the round will result in forfeiture.
TIME CONTROLS: Each player has 75 minutes initially with an additional 30 seconds per move.
ENTRY FEES: $50 Standard entry. $40 Juniors & Croydon CC members. Free GM, WGM, IM, FM, WIM
Early Bird: Deduct $5 if paid by Thursday, 9 June
PRIZES: $500 first place, $300 second place, $200 third place
$75 first adult under 2000. $50 first adult under 1600. $50 first adult under 1200.
$75 first junior under 2000. $50 first junior under 1600. $50 first junior under 1200.
Maximum one prize per entrant. Prizes to be shared equally in the event of a tie.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT: Enter online at www.croydonchess.com
Pay by direct bank transfer. See website for other payment options. Online entries close 13 July 2011.
HALF POINT BYES: A maximum of one half point bye only will be permitted for rounds 1 to 3 only.
ARBITER: FA/FT N.Y. Wong
ENQUIRIES: contact the tournament organiser Jean Watson at jean.watson@croydonchess.com or club President Richard Goldsmith on 0407 348 172.
Proudly sponsored by Bendigo Bank, LJ Hooker and Northern Star Chess.

Please notify forthcoming tournaments to auschessnews@gmail.com

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OVERSEAS TOURNAMENTS AND NEWS

Championship and major events

Asian Juniors, Girls and Seniors: 1 June 2011, Bentota, Sri Lanka link

Oceania Seniors: 5 August 2011, Melbourne, Australia link

World Seniors: 14 November 2011, Opatija, Croatia link

Queenstown Chess Classic: 15 January 2012, Queenstown, NZ [incorporates NZ Championship] link

(Date listed is date of commencement)

Candidates matches

The final of the Candidates series is now in progress in Kazan, Russia. Since the previous newsletter Alexander Grischuk (Rus) and Boris Gelfand (Isr) won their semi-finals against Vladimir Kramnik (Rus) and Gata Kamsky (USA) respectively. Both four-game semi-finals were decided in rapid tie-breaks after all eight games resulted in draws.

The final between Grischuk and Gelfand is the best of six games, again with rapid tie-breaks if required. Currently the score is 2-2 after the first four games were drawn.

Games start at 15:00 local time which translates to 21:00 Australian Eastern time. See link for the official site, including games and the schedule.

2011 Asian Continental Championship

This event was held in in Mashad, Iran from 1 to 11 May. GMs Pentala Harikrishna (Ind), Yu Yangyi (Chn) and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vie) tied on 6.5/9 with Harikrihna talking the title on tie-break. IM Harika Dronavalli won the women’s section with 6.5/9.

See link for the tournament site.

2011 Capablanca Memorial

Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr) and Le Quang Liem (Vie) tied in the top section of this event, a six player double-round robin in Havana, Cuba from May 10 to 21, with 6.5/10. See link for the tournament site.

2011 European Women’s Championship

GM Viktorija Cmilyte (Ltu) won this event (Tbilisi, Georgia, May 6 to 18) with 9/11 from GM Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul) 8.5 and GM Elina Danielian (Arm) and IM Svetlana Matveeva (Rus) 8. See link for the tournament site.

2011 KL Open

The KL Open will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 4 to 10 September shortly after the DAT Malaysian Open in the same city. See link for more details and updates.

Asian Juniors and Senior Tournaments

To All National Federations in Asia

The Sri Lanka Chess Federation, on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, has the honor to invite national federations in Asia to the Asian Juniors and Girls U-20 Championships and the Asian Seniors Championships to be held concurrently 1-9 June 2011 at the Bentota Beach Hotel in Bentota, Sri Lanka.

See link for documents.

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AUSTRALIAN CHESS SITES

Following is a list of useful sites, please notify additions or updates to the usual address.

Newspaper columns

Ian Rogers (Byron Bay Echo)

Peter Parr (Sydney Morning Herald)

David Ellis (West Australian)

Bulletin boards

Chesschat

Blogs

The Closet Grandmaster (Amiel Rosario)