KEVIN PERRIN RECEIVED THE KOSHNITSKY MEDAL FOR 2002

The prestigious Koshnitsky Medal 2002, was awarded to Life Member of the Ballarat Chess Club Inc, Kevin Perrin, in recognition of  his life long services and contributions to chess administration on local, regional and international levels. The medal was given to him on behalf of the ACF by Robert Jamieson, Vice President,  at the concluding ceremony of the Australian Chess Championships on January 9th 2002 in Melbourne.

The citation expressed in the ACF Bulletin  by Mr.Graeme Gardiner, President of the Australian Chess Association, was:

           “The Koshnitsky Medal for chess administration will be awarded to Kevin Perrin. Perrin has been involved on the administration side of both the Ballarat Chess Club and Ballarat Begonia Open for some 35 years. His involvement in chess organisation extends to the Victorian Country Championships for many years. The citations were compelling”.

A summary of Kevin’s long list of chess achievements and involvements reads as follows:

1966: KP joined the Ballarat ChessClub for the first time, and he has remained a most active member until today;

1967: he became an office bearer of the B’rat ChessClub for the first time (as deputy secretary) and he   remained an office-bearer ever since, with the exception of one year;          

1967: KP became the assistant-DOP for the Ballarat Begonia Tournament;

1973: KP became the main arbiter for the Ballarat Begonia tournament and remained so until today with the exception of 1987;                        

1981: KP initiated the School Chess competition for the Ballarat Region, and he remained the driving force of the organization  for  well over 15 years;

1985: He was one of the main organisers and DOP of the Australian Open held in Ballarat;

1985: KP was awarded the title (the first Australian?) of International Arbiter by FIDE;

1986: KP was the arbiter of the Australian Open in Adelaide;

1987: KP was the arbiter of the Junior World Championships held in Adelaide;

1989: KP became a Life Member of the Ballarat Chess Club;

          KP was the Club champion of Ballarat seven times between 1973 and 1989.

          KP won the Country Victorian Chess Championships six times; the last time  (jointly) in Bendigo, 2001.

            Kevin was one of the co-founders of the rejuvenated Ballarat ChessClub in the sixties.

            His achievements in chess administration are too numerous to mention.

One of the most lasting involvements undoubtedly was and still is the organization and direction of the traditional Ballarat Begonia Tournament now going into its 36^th year. Over the years this tournament has attracted all of Australia’s top players, in addition to a varying group of strong overseas (grand) masters. On the other hand, Kevin has tried to make this tournament attractive for the more ordinary players, thus providing a strong stimulus for chess in general.

This aspect of his work is accentuated every year by his organizing and DOP-ing of the Country Victorian Chess Championships over many years. Under his guidance and supervision, this tournament has developed into a chess ‘get together’ for players from country-Victorian in a rather informal manner.

AUSTRALIAN CHESS MEDALS

Koshnitsky Medal - Awarded for chess administration on a national or state level
Purdy Medal - For outstanding contribution as a player or journalist
Steiner Medal - Australian chess player (greatest impact or notable achievement)

             2002                Kevin Perrin                                NA                                     Ian Rogers