Holiday Chess at the Gardiner Chess Centre

We hold a day-time chess camp during each school holiday throughout the year. Each camp runs for several days within the same week, 4 days if we have a shopping centre event on one of the days or for 5 days if there is no other event coinciding. See the next holiday program by looking on our calendar link at the top of the main page at http://www.gardinerchess.com/.

Our camps are well-structured, with coaching sessions catering to the differing abilities interspersed with tournament chess. We employ several coaches on each of the days to provide an interesting mix of coaching for the children. All games are forwarded to our Queensland Ratings Officer for consideration for the ratings list. Once a child has exhibited an appropriate ability by playing well against rated players, their name will be added to the list. Inclusion on the ratings list is a great motivator for the children, who eagerly flip through the pages of a newly published list to find their names and the names of their friends.

Additionally we hold a special week during January, called the Summer Rapids, the week before the chess camp. This is for children who enjoy playing tournament chess with others of all age groups and abilities. There is no coaching available during this week, but guidance is given where needed.

There are several student-free days during the year and we offer a day of chess for all-comers. This provides a safe place for the kids of parents who are unable to take time off work.