Gardiner Chess Newsletter No. 78
24 May 2009

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Calendars for 2009

 

It is coming up to the busiest time of our chess year, with lots happening. There is something for everyone.

We have the Oceania Zonal event at Tweed Heads, the most important event in the Oceania region in each two year cycle. This is followed immediately by the Gold Coast Open, one of the biggest weekenders on the Australian chess calendar. This in turn is followed by the Queensland Junior Championships in Brisbane, after which is the Australian Junior Training Squad also in Brisbane. As usual, we have our school holiday daytime chess camp for players of all standards, and Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke will present prizes and play a few friendly games at our Runaway Bay Shopping Village Junior Tournament.

In this issue we also introduce Queenslander Kevin Casey's new chess book entitled Australian Chess Brilliancies - Creative Attacking Chess from Down Under. Also of interest to our strongest juniors will be our package to the Australian Junior Chess Championships in Hobart in January. Plus plenty more!
 

DOWN TO THE DETAILS FOR YOUR DIARY


Oceania Zonal

at Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, Tweed Heads from 20 to 26 June 2009

A strong field is assembling for this very important regional event. The winner of the Open and Women's tournaments will qualify to represent the Oceania Region in the next stage of the FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Cup Cycle. The usual countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Fiji will be well represented, but it is great to see nations such as PNG, Palau and Solomon Islands also taking part.

For locals, and indeed all Australian chess players, a major interest will be to see if IM David Smerdon, who earned his International Master title at this event 10 years ago, can finally achieve the much sought-after Grandmaster title, and become the very first Queenslander (and fourth
Australian) to earn this title, the highest title recognised by FIDE.

The new 'king' of Australian Chess, Grandmaster Zong Yuan Zhao will be replacing the previous 'king' of Australian chess, GM Ian Rogers who held that position for some 25 years, before his retirement two years ago. However, we are pleased to say Ian will be present to support the event by fronting the media, preparing daily bulletins, and doing some live analysis.

In the women's event, WIM Arianne Caoili, of Dancing with the Stars fame, will be trying to defeat the number one seed IM Irina Berezina. Arianne, busy with her uni studies at ANU, Canberra, has been dating world number five GM Lev Aronian. She is keen to get her FIDE rating back over 2300.

Locally we are keen to see how our up-and-coming youngsters go against the stars of the region.

Latest Entries:

Open
 

GM Zong-Yuan Zhao AUS 2583 Seed
IM David Smerdon AUS 2489 Seed
IM Stephen Solomon AUS 2455
IM George Xie AUS 2402
FM Endre Ambrus AUS 2375
IM Gary Lane AUS 2371
IM Guy West AUS 2343
FM Igor Bjelobrk AUS 2332
IM Paul Garbett NZL 2319 Seed
IM Vladimir Feldman AUS 2298
IM Mirko Rujevic AUS 2282
FM Robert Smith NZL 2274
Mike Steadman NZL 2262
CM Max Illingworth AUS 2243
Joselito Marcos PNG 2200
Eugene Schon AUS 2186
FM James Morris AUS 2114
Bobby Cheng AUS 2103
Kerry Stead AUS 2087
FM Gene Nakauchi AUS 2076
Marc Vlietstra AUS 2075
FM Brian Jones AUS 2062
Leon Kempen AUS 2050
Andrew Fitzpatrick AUS 2022
CM Manoj Kumar FIJ 2017 Seed
Tristan Stevens AUS 2006
Paul Spiller NZL 2005
Tony Weller AUS 1987
WFM Helen Milligan NZL 1985
Jonas Muller AUS 1981
FM Rupert Jones PNG 1962 Seed
Kevin Tan AUS 1956
Mike Canfell AUS 1932
WIM Alexandra Jule AUS 1928
Sam Grigg AUS 1927
Hamish Selnes AUS 1921
Matthew Juszczynski AUS 1914
Sanmogam Goundar FIJ 1903
Sebastian Jule AUS 1847
Roberto Hernandez PLW 1830
Seed tbc
George Lester AUS 1801
Alexander Stahnke AUS 1795
Bill Egan AUS 1795
Daniel Ford AUS 1792
Zachary Searle AUS 1791
Anurag Sannidhanam AUS 1705
Gaurav Raicar FIJ 1560
Harry Hughes AUS 1554
Fernando Aguilar SOL U/R
Seed tbc
Cameron De Vere AUS U/R
Arie Meydan AUS U/R
Daniel Lapitan AUS U/R


Women

IM Irina Berezina AUS 2252 Seed
WIM Arianne Caoili AUS 2172 Seed
WCM Judy Gao NZL 1907 Seed
WFM Sue Maroroa NZL 1894
WFM Vivian Smith NZL 1809
Nicole Tsoi NZL 1648
Gloria Sukhu FIJ 1550
Tamzin Oliver AUS (U/R)
Hilda Vukikomoala FIJ U/R Seed

Full details here


Gold Coast Open
at Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, Tweed Heads from 27 to 28 June 2009

Total Prizes $6,600

This event is recognised as being one of the three or four top weekenders in the Australian chess calendar. Since its inception in 1993 winners have included GM Ian Rogers on no fewer than eight occasions, IM Stephen Solomon four times, GMs Predrag Nikolic and Dejan Antic, and IMs David Smerdon and Alex Wohl.

It seems that well over half of the zonal entrants will be competing in the Gold Coast Open, so it could be a record turnout. The good news for all chess afficianados, young and old, is that you can rub shoulders with the chess stars of the region, and choose whether you play in the open division, under 1600 or under 1000. For those players, especially juniors, who are rated under 1000, Dr Peter Haron has kindly donated $1,250 cash prize money just to encourage entries in this section. Aim to go for the $500 first prize! The under 1600 division also has $1,250 in prizes.

Full details and Entry Form here


Queensland Junior Championships
at Nundah State School from 30 June to 3 July

  • Gardiner Chess will provide a bus service from the centre on each of the 4 days

  • As a special treat for all players, Grandmaster Ian Rogers will be present each day to provide after game analysis, and encouragement.

  • As usual, the older students under 18, 16 and 14 will play on all four days from Tuesday to Friday 30 June to 3 July. Full details here.

  • The under 12s and 10s will now be held over three days from Wednesday to Friday, 1 to 3 July. Full details here.

  • The under 8s will just play on Tuesday 30 June (but can also play in the under 10s if they wish). Full details here.

  • There is also a novice event for unrated players on Wednesday 1 July. Full details here.

    The age level for all groups is taken as their age at 1/1/2009.



Daytime Chess Camp

at the Chess Centre, Mudgeeraba

Monday to Friday (excluding Thursday) 6-10 July

As usual, we welcome players of all standards to a mixture of chess coaching, chess activities and rated tournament chess. A great opportunity for you to improve your chess, make new friends and have a lot of fun.

Full details here.



Runaway Bay Shopping Village Junior Tournament

Thursday 9 July

The Centre Management is getting right behind the event this year. As usual there will be $500 in cash prizes, including ratings prizes for players of all standards, including unrated. There will also be a trophy for best school. The entry form asks which school you attend, and our programme will sum up the scores of students from each school. All entrants will receive a free gift bag from the shopping centre. There will also be random chess related prizes for which you must be present at the presentations.

As a special treat, the Mayor of the Gold Coast, and world famous long distance runner Ron Clarke, will spend some time playing a few friendly games against the kids, and then present the prizes.

Full details here.


 

Student Free Day

Monday 13 July at the Chess Centre, Mudgeeraba

Finally, to cap off over three weeks of non-stop chess, we have our student free day tournament.

Full details here.


OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS


 

Qld Girls Championships and Medal Event

- next weekend on Sat/Sun 30/31 May

  • Venue: Blue Fin Fishing Club, Inala

  • Full details here

  • Organiser Gail Young - Mobile 0411 704 815
    Email qwcl@hotmail.com



Broadbeach Cup

Sat/Sun 6/7 June

  • Yulgilbar - Think Big Cat 1 Australian Grand Prix Tournament

  • Venue: Broadbeach SLSC

  • Total Prizes $1,850

  • Full details here

  • Organiser Amir Karibasic - Mobile 0414 673 228
    Email - doors113@bigpond.com



Maryborough Fun Weekender (Unrated)

Sat/Sun 13/14 June at Maryborough SHS


Queensland Clubs Teams Event

 

The remaining rounds will be held as follows:

  • Round 5 - 14th June Gardiner Chess Centre

  • Round 6 - 4th July Nundah State School



2009 Queensland Championship
Venue Blue Fin Fishing Club, Inala

Round 1 - 19 July
Round 2 - 26 July
Rounds 3 - 23 August
Round 4 - 30 August
Round 5 - 12 September
Round 6 - 13 September
Round 7 - 25 October
Round 8 - 8 November
Round 9 - 22 November


Full details here


 

IQ Chess Franchise Opportunities

Our aim is to provide schools throughout Queensland with ongoing chess coaching services. David Cowland-Cooper is already running an excellent franchise in Cairns and due to demand for chess in schools is currently widening his operation into Townsville.

If you are passionate about chess, can teach primary students, have good communication and business skills, then a low cost IQ Chess franchise might be for you. Please contact Graeme Gardiner to discuss. Email ggardiner@gardinerchess.com or phone 5522 7221.

INFORMATION


 

The Australian Junior Training Squad

will be held at Nundah State School from 5-11 July

  • Unfortunately, the sponsor of this squad for many years, Dr Henry Ergas, has had to withdraw his sponsorship. Therefore the organisers are looking for potential sponsors. Please email Tracy Gray at tacgray@bigpond.net.au if you are interested in sponsoring or part sponsoring this very worthwhile component of Australian chess, either this year or next.

  • This squad is being organised by AJCL officials Tania Simmonds and Tracy Gray, in conjunction with CAQ President Garvin Gray.

  • Participants have been chosen - look here

  • We understand that four Grandmasters will be involved in training this squad.


Kevin Casey's new book

We now have in stock Queenslander Kevin Casey's new chess book entitled Australian Chess Brilliancies - Creative Attacking Chess from Down Under. At just $20 it is great value.

In this well-researched book he has made a fine selection of the best games Australia has to offer. He acknowledges individuals whose enthusiasm contributed to the completeness, accuracy and quality of this work: GM Ian Rogers, IM David Smerdon, IM Guy West, IM Stephen Solomon, IM Greg Hjorth and Alan Goldsmith.

It is good to see games involving Queenslanders included: IM Alex Wohl, IM Stephen Solomon, IM David Smerdon, John Harris, Max Leskiewicz, Chris Flynn and FM Nik Stawski. WIM Alexandra Jule, Jonas Muller, Mark Craven, the author himself and even the Gardiner Chess Centre also get mentions.


Australian Junior Championships
Hobart 14-25 January 2010

Gardiner Chess Package

We are pleased to advise that we have put together a package for the upcoming Australian Juniors. We are arriving a couple of days early on 11 January so that we can see some of the sights. It is great that for the first time for many years Tasmania will be hosting this key junior championship event. The organisers have done well to get a good venue at the highly regarded Hutchins School, and good accommodation at the University of Tasmania.

We are lucky to have IM Peter Froehlich as our coach for the event. Extra coach(es) will be added to meet the demand. Our group aim to give kids a great opportunity to perform at their very best at the event, but at the same time provide entertainment and activities to make the experience fun and feel like a holiday as well. Parents are most welcome to join our group, but for those who do not wish to, or cannot travel, we provide proper supervision.

Our package is fully inclusive of: Air Fares, Accommodation, All Meals, All Entry Fees, Insurance, Entertainment and Activities, Supervision, Share of Cost of Bus. Coaching is optional. Details here.


Queensland's Official Inter-Schools Teams Chess Tournaments
All Regions

For a full calendar, and also to see the results from Round 1 and those on-going from Round 2, visit the Schools' Section on www.gardinerchess.com

For 2009, this event comprises 59 separate days of competition statewide!


Somerville House Invitationals

Patrick Byrom and Connie Pizzato are running their schools competitions as follows:

  • Primary Schools - 23 August

For School Teachers, Coaches and Parents

Easy Daily Chess Exercises for your Students

Why not suggest to your children that they make a daily visit to our webpage www.gardinerchess.com to do the three puzzles, which are updated daily (courtesy Shredder). They are composed at three levels, and offer a variety of different themes. There is even a hint button if the puzzle is proving too hard. Whilst on the webpage, no doubt students will get used to looking for their latest rating, their results in the inter-schools competition, upcoming events and heaps of other information which all add to the chess culture.


RECENT NEWS


Recent Results

For results of recent events, please go to http://www.caq.org.au/htm/results.htm

These include the Queensland Open, Peninsula Open and CAQ Teams (progress scores)


 

Chess Blogs

Two good Australian blog sites are:



Want to Find a Chess Club?

  • Go to the CAQ site here


Keen on Chess?


Here are some sites to visit, where you will find a wealth of information:


Chess Shop at Gardiner Chess

For a complete range of chess goods, including sets, clocks, books, DVDs etc, please visit us at the chess centre at Mudgeeraba, or online at www.gardinerchess.com. If your school is keen to upgrade their chess resources, check out our 'specials for schools' in the schools' section on the webpage.


Reports and Tournament Notices

Reports and tournament notices are most welcome for inclusion in this bulletin. Please email info@gardinerchess.com


JOBS


School Chess Coaches Required

We particularly need a new chess coach in the North West Suburbs region of Brisbane ie Everton Park, Mitchelton, The Gap, Ashgrove area.

Gardiner Chess employs many coaches (mainly casual part-time) around South East Queensland and Northern NSW. Because increasing numbers of schools are keen to introduce chess programmes we always are on the lookout for more coaching staff. While many of our staff are uni students, others are older and just want to supplement their income. Generally quite strong players are required for high schools, but the playing strength for primary students is not so important, because the vast majority are beginners. The ability to teach and relate well to young people is the most important attribute we are looking for. We provide our coaches with extensive resources plus assistance in training methods and support. Additionally, we hold professional development seminars once or twice a year. Please contact Graeme Gardiner if you are interested: ggardiner@gardinerchess.com  or 5522 7221.


Webpage

There are a number of upcoming events promoted in this bulletin. Entry leaflets can be downloaded and printed from our webpage at www.gardinerchess.com. All Gardiner Chess events, and some other events, can be entered online with your credit card number using the secure 'pay online' button.


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All the very best in chess


Graeme and Wendy Gardiner
Gardiner Chess Centre
11 Hardys Road
Mudgeeraba Qld 4213
Phone +61 7 5522 7221
Fax +61 7 5522 7760
Email ggardiner@gardinerchess.com

Webpage www.gardinerchess.com