ACF Bulletin No. 81 - 3 September 2000
SYDNEY OLYMPICS PROMOTION
The ACF is trying to do all it can to assist FIDE in putting on this
promotion. However, it is a little frustrating not having control over
events. FIDE and the IOC have canned the Darling Harbour promotion on
Tuesday 26th September. The invitation only event at the Olympic Village
will now be at 3pm on Monday 25th to avoid a clash with the anticipated
Cathy Freeman final. We are now trying to organise a visit or two by
Anand/Shirov to local chess clubs in order that the local chess community
can be involved.
**********
ACF UNOFFICIAL EMAIL GROUPS
On my trip around Australia it was suggested to me that I list the groups
and the convenors so here they are:
Coaching BRETT TINDALL <sydneyacademy@iprimus.com.au>
Ratings BILL GLETSOS <76702.3153@compuserve.com>
Universities GRAEME GARDINER <ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au>
If you would like to be involved in any of these groups please contact the
relevant convenor.
**********
INSURANCE DEAL FOR STATES AND CLUBS
I'm pleased to advise that the ACF has taken out a special insurance policy
that not only covers the ACF but also allows any state or club that wishes
to be added on at a very reasonable cost. The policy covers any type of ACF,
state or club event including meetings, social days, tournaments, shopping
centre events etc.
The policy has been issued through CHRIS ZUCCALA, Vicwide Insurance Brokers
with the following details:
Public and Products Liability Insurance
Limits of Indemnity:
Public Liability $10,000,000 any one occurrence
Products Liability $10,000,000 any one period of insurance
Tenants Fire Liability $10,000,000 any one occurrence
Premium:
ACF $484
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
Territorial Limits: Anywhere in Australia
Excess: $250 for property damage claims only
Insurer: Lumley General Insurance
The above premiums include all charges (incl GST and Brokers Fee)
All clubs, whether incorporated or not, would be most unwise not to have
this kind of insurance. These days a minimum level of insurance is
$5,000,000. I'm advised that $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 would be totally
inadequate.
To take advantage of this special offer, all you need to do is email NORM
GREENWOOD <normg@bigpond.com.au> 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
vicwide@hotmail.com or phone 03 9569 1569 or fax 03 9569 1515.
**********
OLYMPIAD APPEAL
The following donations totalling $4,320.75 have been received to date:
Accola, Tom 50.00
ACTCA - Proceeds of Raffle, etc. 425.75
Brockman, Roland 50.00
Byrne, Mike 150.00
Christian, David 25.00
City of Redcliffe Chess Club 100.00
Eagan, Bill 50.00
Farleigh, Richard 1,000.00
Gardiner, Graeme 300.00
Gold Coast Chess Club 400.00
Jessop, Denis 50.00
Ledger, Neville 100.00
NSWCA Members 320.00
Raine, Marcus 80.00
Safarian, Alek 100.00
Suncoast Chess Club 300.00
NSWCA 720.00
Stokes, Prof R H 100.00
Please could I ask states, clubs and individuals to support this appeal
immediately, as generously as you are able. All pledges (not included above)
need to be paid as a matter of urgency in order that the level of support
for each individual can be calculated. Our elite national teams deserve our
support. Please act now and send your donation to the ACF Treasurer NORM
GREENWOOD, Unit 15, Horizon Towers, 208 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077.
Alternatively please advise of your pledge to me at
<ggardiner@somerset.qld.edu.au>
**********
ELECTION OF NEW ACF EXECUTIVE - LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE BEFORE DEADLINE
A new ACF executive will be elected at the national conference to be held in
Canberra on 7 January. The ACF Constitution requires 120 days notice of
nominations for the new executive. According to my calculations this means
nominations need to be into me by next Saturday 9 September. Please feel
free to send in a nomination for the entire executive (President, Vice
President, Secretary, Treasurer) or just for one position if you are
available to be included on someone else's ticket.
**********
GRAND PRIX
Upcoming events:
September 9-10 Gold Coast Classic, Somerset College, Cat 3, GRAEME GARDINER
07 5530 3777
September 30- October 1 Lidums Cup, South Australian Chess Centre, 10
Ranelagh Street, Adelaide, Cat 1, CHESS CENTRE 08 8211 7189
October 7-8 Redcliffe Challenge, Clontarf High School, Cat 1, NORM
BRAYBROOKE 0418 716374
October 14-15 Geelong Open, Venue to be advised, Cat to be advised, STEPHEN
MCKENZIE 03 5222 4524
October 21-22 Coal City Open, Cardiff Workers Club, Cat 2, GEORGE LITHGOW 02
4943 3862
October 28-29 Tweed Heads Open, Tweed Heads Civic Centre, Cat 3, AUDIE
PENNEFATHER 07 5536 9185
October 28-29 Ctrl Coast Weekender, Central Coast Leagues Club, Cat 1, KEITH
FARRELL 02 4341 7864
Just a reminder to tournament organisers that it is imperative to get full
results with juniors and females clearly marked to INGRID THOMPSON
<snoozdoc@ozemail.com.au> immediately after each event.
**********
YANCHEP/TWO ROCKS, WA ALLEGRO TOURNAMENT SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER
Venue: Yanchep/Two Rocks Recreation Centre (Lower Hall), Charnwood Reserve,
Lisford Avenue, Two Rocks.
Prizes: 1st $150, 2nd $80, 3rd $50, 4th $30, 5th $20 plus $100 in rating
prizes.
Separate senior, novice and junior (under 18) tournaments subject to
entries.
Entry Fee (Including buffet tea): Seniors $24, Juniors $20, Family (Adult
plus one junior) $40, Family (Adult and two juniors) $56. A player's spouse,
partner or parent may attend the buffet tea for $13.
Closing Date: 5 October. Late entries on the day up to 9.30am extra fee $3.
Rate of Play: 15 mins a side. 9 Rounds 10am, 10.35am, 11.10am, 11.45am,
1.30pm, 2.05pm, 2.40pm, 3.15pm, 4.00pm.
Swiss Perfect pairings being used.
Entries to: BOB PILGRIM 14 Band Street, Lathlain 6100 (08 9361 4508).
**********
AUSTRALIAN CENTENARY CHESS FESTIVAL
UPDATE: AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2001
28 December 2000 - 09 January 2001
Seven confirmed Grandmaster entries:
GM IAN ROGERS (AUSTRALIA - 2558)
GM DARRYL JOHANSEN (AUSTRALIA - 2505)
GM UTUT ADIANTO (INDONESIA - 2583)
GM YURI YAKOVICH (RUSSIA - 2585)
GM ALEXANDER VOLZHIN (RUSSIA - 2556)
GM GORAN TODOROVIC (YUGOSLAVIA - 2455)
GM H. ARDIANSYAH (INDONESIA - 2421)
In excess of 10 International Master entries are also expected and the
opportunity for IM and GM norm results will be very good.
All above players have confirmed and the latter five have been sent formal
letters of invitation for visa purposes and I am just awaiting a response on
their progress in this regard.
More updates will be posted as they come to hand (especially on
participation of IMs - please get back to me if you have received my letter
of invitation). The Open has a guaranteed minimum prize fund of $11,300.
However, there is much for the club-strength player too. There are generous
ratings prizes in the Open in many different categories, offering all
players a great chance to win a prize.
Those who cannot commit to two weeks of the Open due to work commitments for
example, can play in one of the U/1600 Minor and U/2000 Repechage shorter
events, to take place between 28-31 December 2000 (Thurs-Sun) and 2-7
January (Tues-Sun) respectively. Both events offer excellent prize money for
the club strength player, with a prize fund of over $5,000 for these two
events bringing the minimum prize fund for all events to over $16,000 in
total and over $20,000 in total if entries match the budget estimates.
The smaller events are a good chance for players to participate in the
festival in some way, even if they cannot play in the Open itself. Players
in the Open can also enter the U/2000 Repechage (rounds are in the
mornings).
Newsletter:
Also, those receiving the next edition of Australian Chess Forum will also
be getting a newsletter, "ChessACTion", giving full details of the event and
also containing an entry form. The newsletter will be monthly, with the next
edition giving full details of the Australian Juniors.
Others throughout Australia will also receive this newsletter and other
information through mailing lists in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia,
Western Australia and Tasmania. If you are not on any of these distribution
lists you can request a copy via email (andrew.greenwood@anu.edu.au).
Accommodation:
Excellent accommodation at the venue, Rydges Canberra is available for a
much reduced rate of $130/night per room (inc GST) with full breakfast
included. Contact number is (02) 6247-6244.
Good value accommodation is also available at Rydges Eaglehawk: Rydges
Resort Eagle Hawk Hill Federal Hwy North ACT/NSW Border Phone: (02)
6241-6033 Suite accommodation is available from $70 at a weekly rate with
each suite (depending on type) sleeping between 4-8 people.
Rydges bookings can be made online at http://www.rydges.com.au
A full list of accommodation options is available at:
http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary/austaccom.html
When booking, quote rates for the "Centenary Chess Festival". Early bookings
are recommended. Accommodation queries should be directed to EVELYN
FITZPATRICK: <afitzpat@interact.net.au>
Arbiters:
Chief Arbiter: SHAUN PRESS
Deputy Arbiters: CHARLES ZWORESTINE, IAN MURRAY with the other selected
position yet to be finalised
Appeals Chair: CATHY ROGERS
Juniors:
The venue for the Australian Junior Championships has been changed to the
Hellenic Club, Matilda St, Phillip. The new venue is now on the main bus
route, which will make transportation to and from the city very easy. The
organisers will release further details shortly, however any questions can
be directed to DEBORAH POULTON: <wpoulton@pcug.org.au>.
ANDREW GREENWOOD, Australian Centenary Chess Festival, PO Box 470, Erindale
Centre ACT 2903, Tel. 0403-191-777, Fax. 02-6291-0385,
andrew.greenwood@anu.edu.au, http://www.auschess.org.au/centenary
**********
2000/2001 WORLD SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
The inaugural World Scholastic Chess Championship was a fantastic success.
Even better, an Australian school (Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane)
qualified for the final, and their team was flown to New York!
The 2000/2001 WSCC will commence in September/October.
This note is to alert you to the fact that on-line registration is now
available at KasparovChess.com.
Simply go to that site, and on the front page is a directory to WSCC, and a
sub-directory to register on-line.
If you have problems, or need further information, please contact me.
Good luck!
CHRIS DEPASQUALE, Oceania Regional Coordinator, KasparovChess.com, Phone +61
8 8952 8220, Fax +61 8 8952 0686, Email agechess@ozemail.com.au
The following was also received from the WSCC team:
We are happy to inform you that the online registration of the World School
Chess Championships 2000-2001 is now open. It has never been easier to
register for the WSCC. There are 3 steps the coach/team coordinator need to
follow, please read these instructions carefully and then click on the link
to enter the registration lobby:
http://www.KasparovChess.com/serve/templates/wscc/register/default.asp?p_fol
derID=473
Step 1:
Register your school. You'll need to fill in the school details your time
zone and your local time (make sure you enter the schedule hours in 24:00
hours format - 2pm is 14:00) Enter the team coordinator details (this is the
person who we will contact during the tournament, it could be the team's
coach, parent or teacher). After that you will receive an e-mail with your
user name and password. In this message there will be a link you must click
on in order to confirm you've received the e-mail.
Step 2:
Register your team. Note that you may register your team at any time and you
may register more than one team for the same school. If the coach is the
team coordinator use the checkbox next to coach's details. After team
registration you will receive the e-mail with the list of all team players'
usernames and passwords. Print the list and keep it available for future
matches. Without the usernames your players will not be able to enter to the
Playing Zone of the WSCC!
Step 3:
Print the registration summary, have it sign by the authorized school
official/Authorized School Administrator and send it to one of the fax
numbers on the top. Your team will be accepted to the World School Chess
Championship ONLY upon our receiving of your signed application.
Please refer to the WSCC web site for more information
http://www.kasparovchess.com/wscc. We hope to see your team as a part of the
World School Chess Championships.
**********
CORRESPONDENCE
SOLARIS WHITESAIL:
I am an amateur club player, living and working in Sydney. Today at lunch I
wandered over to the Hyde Park chess players. Currently the chess court yard
is undergoing some upgrade of facilities - I presume for the Olympics. Play
was reduced to a couple a boards provided by the players themselves. Plus it
was a little chilly today, so maybe some players stayed at home, nice and
warm.
When was the last time you visited a place like that? Did you notice the
people there? Most of the players appear to be retired, (especially European
gentlemen) or else seemingly unemployed types. But every so often a
businessman, (in tie, pressed trousers and shirt and maybe a jacket) wander
through. The businessmen are not just there to get away from office humdrum,
but like myself - wish to glance at the game of kings. To see the
combinations and witness the sacrifices.
This is about the only venue in Sydney were players meet. No, I am not
suggesting that the ACF organise some sort of off-street venue, even if it
would have interest to overseas visitors during the Olympics.
It's more humble than that. I wondered why there was no corporate chess
tournament. Here at the Hyde Park are chess players who understand the game
and the fact that they make an effort to see a game. In Sydney, you know
they have things like Corporate Volleyball, Touch Football and Cricket.
Guess what else, businesses have their own venues - they can host rounds. I
wonder how much support it would receive?
So, I ask you - does it interest the ACF to create and foster such a
tournament? I'd certainly have a word around my company, should such a
tournament exist.
BRUCE HARRIS:
I disagree with Jonathan Sarfati's comment that the various tie-break
systems don't have "any more merit than a toss of a coin".
I know tie breaks are unpopular with many players, but thought this was
largely because they seem a bit arbitrary, and players in general don't
understand them. Being aware of Jonathan's stature in scientific circles,
having had articles published in the prestigious journal Nature, I'm not
about to accuse him of a failure to understand. But I disagree with him.
Jonathan was commenting on Richard Thorne's letter, and I agree with one of
the latter's original claims, that tie breaks are "flawed where all play
all". But in a Swiss tournament with a biggish turnout, it's blatantly
obvious that a particular score can be hard won or easily won. The tie-break
systems all attempt to make some measure of the strength of the opposition
encountered in securing that score, and as such have enormous merit.
To state, for example, that a tie break system based on average rating of
opposition has no more merit than a coin toss, is equivalent to stating that
ratings are meaningless.
As for the alternative of a lightning playoff, I would reckon this to be
more unfair than a tie-break. It suffers the following flaws:
1. Skill at speed chess may be highly correlated to skill at slow chess, but
it remains a different animal. If a tournament is played at a particular
pace, say 90 minutes per side, then to determine the winner based on a
5-minute playoff is grossly unfair.
2. Unless you introduce even more artificial elements, such as the "White
gets 5 minutes, Black 4, and a draw is counted as a win to Black" - (or was
it the other way around?) - then you still have no guarantee of a result.
They could go on alternating wins all night. And if you introduce
ever-diminishing time limits, then you're really getting into coin-toss
territory.
3. From the practical viewpoint, at the end of a tournament a lot of players
have to catch a train, get to the pub before closing time or whatever, and
the unpaid organisers also have a right to expect to be able to go home.
For some purposes, I'd accept that sharing is the way to go. But for most,
given that we're not talking sheep stations here, I reckon the tie-break
system is better. The precise system to be used should be mentioned by name
on the registration form, and a full exposition of how it works displayed
prominently at the venue.
BOBBY ANG:
The following was forwarded by Bobby Ang of the Philippines:
Teheran 26 August 2000
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) Presidential Board, meeting 26-27 August
in Teheran, Iran, accepted the application for affiliation of the National
Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by GM Eugene Torre. FIDE
was guided by the Philippine Olympic Committee recognition of the NCFP and
withdrew FIDE recognition from the Philippine Chess Federation.
The Board unanimously approved the motion of FIDE President Kirsan
Ilymzhinov of Rusia to support the proposal of Zone President Ignatius Leong
of Singapore and Asian Continental President for Asia Khalifa Al Hitmi of
Qatar to accept the National Chess Federation of the Philippines as the sole
FIDE affiliate in the Philippines.
Speaking in Russian, Ilyumzhinov said "We should consider three points. FIDE
is an organization for players, not for bureaucrats. The main aim is to
reflect the interest of the players. Secondly, FIDE has to conform to the
International Olympic Committee, as approved by the 1999 FIDE Congress in
Doha, Qatar."
"We have started new formats, attracted many more players to our ranks. FIDE
is an organization of grassroots players. The decision of 20th June 1999 by
the IOC to recognize chess as sport should spread to all other
organizations. The new National Chess Federation of the Philippines includes
all stars of Philippine chess. It shows that the old federation does not
reflect the interests of the players. These chess players progressed further
than the old federation.
"The letter of the old Philippine Chess Federation only informs us of their
misunderstanding with Mr. Campomanes. They contradict themselves by saying
that we should not interfere in their internal problems but they try to
involve us in their internal problems. We all know the golden rule not to
interfere in internal problems. But we should not let them drag us into
their internal problems.
"Only the new federation reflects the interests of players and has the
recognition of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Our new goal is to become
an Olympic sport. If the Philippine Olympic Committee recognizes them, FIDE
should follow suit.
"Two years ago I sent circulars to national federations urging them to
support FIDE's bid to join the Olympic Movement by obtaining recognition
from their National Olympic Committees. It was hard for me to understand why
the Philippines could not obtain Philippine Olympic Committee recognition
when their country is famous for chess greats such as Torre, Antonio and
Campomanes.
"I propose for the Presidential Board and General Assembly that we should
reconsider all national federations that are members of FIDE. As an
International Sports Federation recognized by the IOC, FIDE should recognize
only those who are members of the NOC.
"We should inform all federations of the proposal and we should task them to
bring NOC recognition as Torre did. Even if we become fewer, we shall be
confident that these federations are in full accord with the NOC. This will
accelerate the acceptance of chess as an Olympic sport.
"I visited many countries and heads of NOC's and some of them are not even
aware of the existence of their chess federation. Amendments should be made
to our statutes.
"Thirdly, the Philippine Chess Federation was brought to FIDE by Mr.
Campomanes in 1956. He is the father of their chess federation. Now he
brought with him, at the age of 73, the National Chess Federation of the
Philippines, his second child to FIDE," Ilyumzhinov concluded.
The NCFP application, signed by GM Torre, was hand-carried to Tehran by
Florencio Campomanes, FIDE Honorary President. After a revealing discussion,
the FIDE Presidential Board unanimously approved the motion by FIDE
President Ilyumzhinov to accept the National Chess Federation of the
Philippines. The meeting was well attended by world chess leaders and opened
by Islamic Republic of Iran Vice President Hashemi Taba.
FIDE Treasurer David Jarrett of England pointed out that, in the past four
years, only one tournament was reported for FIDE rating by the old
Philippine Chess Federation, a sign of low level of technical efficiency.
Asian Continental President Al-Hitmi expressed surprise that a country of
the stature of the Philippines has comparatively few FIDE rated players.
FIDE Rating Administrator Toti Abundo of the Philippines confirmed this fact
and supported the NCFP application.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines was recognized on August
23, 2000 by the Philippine Olympic Committee. Go Teng Kok, head of the POC
membership committee, endorsed the NCFP application to the Executive Board
which unanimously gave its nod. In a letter to GM Torre, POC Secretary
General Romeo Ribano stated "We appreciate your intention to be part of the
POC and of the Olympic Movement as we believe that chess is a sport that
enjoys maximum popularity in the country."
In a letter to FIDE President Kirsan Ilyhumzhinov, Philippine Olympic
Committee president Celso I. Dayrit stated "The creation of the National
Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of our only three
grandmasters: Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Buenaventura Villamayor
is a welcome development that will surely fill the void, and will give great
impetus to Philippine chess and its involvement in the Olympic Movement. The
recognition of the NCFP in the POC will contribute to the grand efforts of
FIDE under your leadership to secure final and full acceptance of the world
chess body in the International Olympic Committee."
*Note: I (Graeme Gardiner) have written to the FIDE Executive Director
regarding my concerns about the following paragraph from the above:
"I propose for the Presidential Board and General Assembly that we
should reconsider all national federations that are members of FIDE. As
an International Sports Federation recognized by the IOC, FIDE should
recognize only those who are members of the NOC."
The ACF will continue to make representations to have chess recognised by
both the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Olympic Committee.
**********
Best wishes to all
Graeme Gardiner
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