Chessclub.com.au
Information and support for Chess Clubs in Australia
2012 Draft Calendar
0191 days
This is an example of a Google Calendar with a few chess events scheduled (scroll forwards to 2012). It can be embedded on any website and visitors to the site can easily add the events to their own calendar simply by clicking the “+Google Calendar” link at the bottom of the page.
On The Move – May
0253 days
by David Cordover
in On The Move
Tornelo controversy, ACF gone mad as well as reports on Doeberl Cup and Ballarat Begonia Open.
On The Move (Feb)
0331 days
Bumper issue, thanks again to IM Robert Jamieson for his job of editing this…
Enjoy!
Chess in the West
1431 days
Another community chess club is starting up, this time in St Albans with the support and energy of long-time chess expert Mario Zoppi. Mario has been involved in successful clubs in Hobson’s Bay, Essendon and Geelong. I’m sure this club will shortly see the same success!
Westvale Community Centre
“Join an informal club to improve and develop your chess game. A club for all levels and abilities.”
MEMBERS NEEDED
Where: Westvale Community Centre, 45 Kings Rd, St Albans
When: Thursdays 7:30-10:00pm
Cost: No Charge!!
Contact: 9367 6647
There are not many chess clubs in the western suburbs and especially not in the outer west. A successful chess club in St Albans would be a good asset for the Melbourne chess community.
Things starting to happen
1437 days
As you may be aware we donated a chess set to every Library in Victoria recently. The idea being that libraries are a place of community engagement and chess is a great activity to engage all ages and cultures. Also, there are very few ‘social’ chess clubs or places where an adult can go to learn how to play in a non-threatening environment. Libraries seemed to be an ideal spot for these clubs to grow. We donated a chess set to enable these community clubs to develop if there was interest.
Well, we’ve been thrilled with the response from the libraries. At least 2 central offices (each comprising about 5 or 6 library branches) are very keen and will be establishing regular clubs at all their branches… that’s 10 new chess clubs in Victoria!
Dozens of the libraries have put the chess set in a public space so chess is visible and anyone who is interested can have a game. A few have the set available for loan so members can take it home! It’s just been wonderful to see all the ideas that the libraries have put into practice.
All of this activity can only be good for chess. Like this sort of thing:
Dear David
I just wanted to thank you for this initiative, we have found that chess and libraries certainly go together and also engage young people that you might not expect would be. So congratulations and thanks for the chess sets!
Best wishes,
Christine Mackenzie
CEO, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
Thank you for the chess set that you sent through to our Library, we had a smaller set available for the public but I have replaced it with the much larger one. It’s a great thing to have in a public space as it encourages interaction.
Cheers,
Jenny Maggs
Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation
Hamilton Branch Manager
On The Move, October 2010
0470 days
by David Cordover
in On The Move
Download On The Move – Oct 10 in PDF.
Ukraine takes gold at Olympiad
0482 days
by David Cordover
in News
Ukraine’s 2-2 draw with Israel was enough to stay in front of top seeds Russia to take Gold in the Chess Olympiad (played in Khanty-Mansiysk, Siberia) overnight. Russia could only draw 2-2 with Spain in the final round.
Top board for Ukraine, Vassily Ivanchuk, scored an impressive 8/10 to lead the team to victory.
Australia had an ordinary performance, but a 4-0 thrashing of Nigeria in the final round helped push them up to 55th place (pretty much on par with their 49th seeding).
149 teams participated in total. Full results.
In the women’s division Australia lost 1-3 in the final round to England to finish 46th (seeding of 53rd).
Russia went through the entire women’s event unscathed with a perfect 11 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses! An outstanding performance by Cuba saw them finish 4th (behind China 2nd and Georgia 3rd).
The closing ceremony was broadcast online.
First of many
0496 days
by David Cordover
in Prahran Market
Arriving early on a fresh Saturday morning at the market and looking forward to a most enjoyable launch for the Prahran Market Chess Club.
We found a 2 kids and their parents waiting for us to arrive! Starved of chess they were very excited to be the pioneers and inaugural chess players in the market.
As the day unfolded we saw players of all ages and abilities stop for a game, including some very serious players who headed off to the Elwood Chess Club afterwards to make sure they got a full day of chess!
We also became the destination for a local Russian school excursion. A special last day of term treat for a really lovely group of kids.
And everyone enjoyed chatting with the lovely lady who hasn’t played chess for 40 years – it soon came back to her. 
Drop in any Saturday morning from 10am – 1pm in the Market square, it’s free!