Australian Chess Federation Inc.

ACF Olympiad Appeal – 45th Chess Olympiad

A proud record

The biennial Chess Olympiad is one of the world’s largest sporting events, and the premier teams event on the global chess calendar. After a succession of Asian venues in recent years, the Olympiad returns to Europe – Budapest, the Hungarian capitol, is hosting the 45th Olympiad.

Australia has performed remarkably well against the rest of the world. We have contested every Olympiad since 1968, our open team tying for 25th place (of 187) and our women tying for 35th (of 161) at the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai.

Again this year Australia will be one of the expected 190 nations competing, fielding an open and a women’s team (each five players plus captain) of our best available players, together with a Head of Delegation representing ACF at the FIDE Congress.

…but there’s a catch

…the Australian nemesis, the tyranny of distance – Australia is a long way from just about anywhere. As airlines recover from the Covid-19 downturn, the days of cheap fares are yet to return. By departing on 6th September and delaying the return flight till 24th September, China Eastern is the best available (at mid-March, but fares change almost daily), with a $1561 return fare from Sydney via Shanghai to Budapest – 28 hours outbound and 36 hours homeward bound (via Wuhan, Xi-An and Shanghai).

While other national teams receive government support, our teams must meet their own travel costs.

That’s where you come in. The teams need your support to represent us. Please give what you can to the appeal.

All donations will be acknowledged here and in the ACF email bulletin. The Australian Chess Federation will match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to half of the total cost, leaving an estimated $12000 to be raised, including incidental costs such as FIDE registration and entry fees, uniform costs and accommodation for the Head of Delegation.

Registrations Open for the Australian Chess Championships 2024

The websites for the Australian Championships and the Australian Junior Championships are now at

Australian Chess Championships 2024

Australian Junior Chess Championships 2024

Please note: The Classic Major and Minor are now full 11-round tournaments, each to be held concurrently with the Championship events.

 

World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships 2023

FIDE World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships 2023

FIDE World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships 2023

Applications for Australians to participate in the World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships 2023 have just opened and close on August 16.

Australians can register here…

The ACF Official 2023 Australian Representative International Junior Chess Tournaments Register is available here…

Any inquiries can be sent to either Australian Junior Chess Coordinator, Hughston Parle, at hughstonparle@gmail.com OR to Assistant Australian Junior Chess Coordinator, Henry Slater-Jones, at henryslaterjones@gmail.com.