Queenstown, NZ Adventure 13 to 25 January 2006 - Get in quick!

We have made a group booking for 30 players and non-players with Air NZ and also with the Queenstown Lodge http://www.qlodge.co.nz/index2.htm. So far, we have received 22 registrations of interest. We have to pay non-refundable deposits to the airline by 22 April, so if you are interested in going, you had better get in soon.

Queenstown is simply a magnificent destination, surrounded by mountains and situated next to a lovely lake. There’s lots to do and see on spare days. Billed as the adventure capital of the world. Many scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed in this region. There are no traffic lights in Queenstown, just roundabouts. If you don't want to do the adventure things, then three excursions (though not included in our package) that may appeal to you are a day trip to the stunning Milford Sound (including cruise), a trip across the lake to the sheep station in the famous steamer TSS Earnshaw, and a trip up the mountain in a gondola for indescribable views and a fantastic seafood smorgasbord. For more information on Queenstown go to http://www.everythingqueenstown.com/.

The tournament will be located at the very well-appointed Millennium Hotel http://www.millenniumqueenstown.co.nz/. NZ$30,000 in prizes. Lots of hefty ratings prizes. 10 rounds starting at 3pm daily. 100 mins a side plus 60 secs a move (Fischer).

Our package, with three choices of accommodation at the Queenstown Lodge, includes return air fares Brisbane/Queenstown with Air NZ, Queenstown airport transfers, 12 nights accommodation at the Queenstown Lodge, cooked breakfasts daily, tournament entry fee and travel insurance. It does not include meals other than breakfast and excursions. Depending upon whether you choose bunk accommodation with en suite, hotel rooms or luxury self contained apartments, the cost per person varies between $1,300 and $1,970.

To register, simply reply to this email ggardiner@gardinerchess.com. We will need a refundable $100 holding deposit, with the full balance payable by 31 October 2005. The holding deposit becomes non-refundable after 22 April.

Easter School Holiday Chess Camps 29-31 March and 1 April

As usual, we will be holding our school holiday chess camps. The Gold Coast Camp will be held at our chess centre as usual, whilst the Brisbane Camp will be held at the Marymac Centre, 616 Ipswich Road, Annerley. Players of all standards are welcome.

Queensland Women's Championship - 9/10 April at the Chess Centre

This tournament, which is open to women and girls, will be held at the Gardiner Chess Centre.

Prizes 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 plus trophies. Also, $50 plus trophy to best senior rated under 1200, best junior and best cadet. 60 mins a side plus 10 secs a move (Fischer). Entry Fees: $45 (plus CAQ fee $10, if applicable). Late entry fee $10 after 6pm on 8 April. Entries to Gail Young, PO Box 9, Inala 4077. Entries can also be made at the chess centre and via our webpage. Last year Amy Evans won the event ahead of several girls, with the women trailling. It's about time the women fought back!

Gold Coast Junior Championships - 16/17 April at the Chess Centre

This tournament is always very well-attended, and over the last few years has been won by virtually all the big names in Queensland junior chess, including Charles Pizzato, Max Leskiewicz, Nathan Pearce, David Smerdon, Evan Jones, Matthew Sonter, Toshi Kimura, Steven Cooke and Arianne Caoili. Interestingly, Phachara Wongwichit (twice Queensland Junior Champion, and a junior no longer) and Moulthun Ly (Australian Junior Champion) have not won the event.

• The time controls will be 30 mins a side plus 30 secs a move (Fischer). 7 rounds.
• Prizes: Open 1st $150 plus trophy, 2nd $50 plus trophy. Under 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 (as at 1/1/05) $40 plus trophy each. Unrated prize $40.
• Entry Fees: CAQ members $30, Non-Members $40. Late entry fee on the day $10.
• Solomon v Ly Match 9/10 and 16/17 April at the Gardiner Chess Centre

It's on for Young and Old - IM Stephen Solomon (7 times Australian Olympiad team) v Moulthun Ly (Australia's youngest ever Australian Junior Champion)

Entrants in both the Queensland Women's Championship and the Gold Coast Junior Championship will have a special treat, as they will be able to watch two of Australia's finest players compete in an eight game match over the two weekends. There will be two games a day, with the first game starting at 10am and the second game starting one hour after the first finishes to allow time for analysis and refreshments. All eight games will be relayed live to the internet via www.gardinerchess.com (live chess).

The winner will receive $300 and the runner-up $100.

Stephen Solomon has always been a strong supporter of the development of junior chess in Queensland and Australia. It is a measure of Moulthun's progress as a chess player that Stephen has been prepared to undertake this match. Whilst Stephen (on rating and form) should expect to win this match fairly easily, he will certainly be giving Moulthun the utmost respect, since Moulthun is improving at such a tremendous rate. Nobody is quite sure how far and how quickly Moulthun will go in chess, so it will be very interesting to see how he goes against Queensland's finest player for the last 10-15 years.

Junior Masters Term One

There are 30 players competing in the term one junior masters. After round five of this event, Molly McGarity stormed to the lead with a convincing win over number one seed, and former winner of the event, Yitao Lei. Molly now leads on 5/5, from Jonas Muller, Yitao Lei, Zane Adams and Daniel Ford all on 4/5. Next comes Daniel Barrett, who defeated Jessica Kinder, and who has been improving fast in recent rounds.

There is now little doubt that this event is having a significant and very positive influence on the playing standard of Gold Coast juniors in comparison to the rest of Australia. Post game analysis by strong player/coaches is having an ongoing and cumulative effect.

We now have a game viewer on our webpage, thanks to Nik Stawski and Wendy Gardiner. This makes it much easier to mouse through games. All games in the current series are now up on our webpage www.gardinerchess.com (view games), and you can also have a bit of a chuckle at Bomble's Bulletins on our webpage (junior masters).

Each week the board one game is relayed live to the internet at around 5.20pm on Tuesdays.

The term two junior masters event is being held on Mondays, commencing 18 April.

2005/2006 Australian Championships and Australian Junior Championships