ACF NEWS

2009 AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

by Bill Gletsos, NSWCA President

The ACF has accepted a bid by Chris Dimock (President Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club Chess Club [MWRLCCC]) and Fred Schuetz (member of MWRLCCC and of Norths Chess Club) for the FIDE-rated Australian Open Chess Championship to be held at Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club, 563 Pittwater Road, Brookvale from Friday 2 January to Sunday 11 January 2009 as per the Playing Schedule below.

In addition to the main event, there will be a separate Under 1600 Tournament (provisionally to be called the Manly Classic Event) and the Australian Lightning Tournament to be held on Tuesday 6 January 2009. Because of time constraints there will no separate Australian Rapid Tournament.

The Organiers have appointed Nick Chernih as Chief Arbiter.

Martin Van Elmpt has created the following homepage for this event with the press release as a starting point: www.nswca.org.au/AO2009/AustralianOpen2009.htm.

A link is also being established on the Website of the Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club Chess Club which can be assessed on http://www.manlychess.org.au.

OLYMPIAD CAPTAINCIES

from Gary Wastell, ACF President

The ACF has accepted with thanks the offers of Manuel Weeks and IM Andras Toth to serve as captains of the Australian teams selected to compete in the 2008 FIDE Olympiad, to be held in Dresden, Germany, from November 12 to 25.

This year will be the seventh time Manuel has served as captain of the Open team. Manuel notes: "This year we have a younger team then in previous Olympiads and the recent retirement of perennial board-one, GM Ian Rogers, means a new era in Australian chess is beginning. Our younger Australian players are now leading the team."

Andras Toth, 26, is an International Master from Hungary who has been working as a chess coach for two years. In 2007, he coached members of Australian teams at the Under-16 Olympiad in Singapore and includes Australian Champion Junta Ikeda among his most successful pupils. Andras considers that the ability of the captain to serve as a psychologist, mentor and friend is most important for the success of the team.

Playing members of the teams are unchanged from those announced previously i.e. (in board order) Open team: GM Zong-Yuan Zhao, IM David Smerdon, IM Stephen Solomon, GM Darryl Johansen, IM George Xie. Women's team: IM Irina Berezina, WIM Arianne Caoili, Giang Nguyen, WIM Laura Moylan, WIM Biljana Dekic.

Contributions to the ACF Olympiad Appeal to assist with travel costs that will otherwise be borne by team members may be made and related information obtained from the web site administered by appeal coordinator Ian Murray at www.caq.org.au/olympiad/index.htm.

WORLD SENIOR: ACF nominees to FIDE Oceania Zone

from Kevin Bonham, ACF Selections Director

Six male and one female players submitted expressions of interest for selection as the ACF nominee to be Oceania Zone's representative in the upcoming World Senior.

WIM Bijana Dekic (ACF 1962/FIDE 2103) is the only female applicant and is therefore automatically nominated.

The six male applicants were, in average rating order:

Phil Viner (1943/2127 = 2035)
Lachlan Benson (1926/2026 = 1976)
Felix Wyss (1765/1969 = 1867)
Mike Canfell (1727/1931 = 1829)
Oleg Korenevski (1660/1920 = 1790)
Arie Meydan (1757/UNR = 1757)

Accordingly the ACF nominates Phil Viner and the remainder are reserve nominees in the order listed. The final decision on nomination is made by FIDE Oceania Zone.

On behalf of the ACF, my thanks to all applicants for their interest in the event.

COACHING AT THE AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS for NSW players

from Charles Zworestine, NSWJCL President

The NSW Junior Chess League is seeking experienced coaches to coach for NSW at the Australian Junior Championships, at Saint Ignatius' College, Athelstone, Adelaide, SA, January 2-13 2009.

A package of information including job description/expectation and application form can be obtained from Charles Zworestine, at his email address: charlesz@ozemail.com.au.

Expressions of interest should be sent to charlesz@ozemail.com.au by Monday, 8 September 2008. Only those who submit expressions of interests will be considered for coaching. Deadline for the actual applications will be emailed to those who have expressed interest together with the information package. Applications will then need to be received by this deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

MYER TAN AUSTRALIAN CHESS GRAND PRIX

http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?site=grandprix

Coming Grand Prix Events

EVENTS CALENDAR

Surfers Paradise Open

Venue Quality Hotels, Mermaid Waters, cnr Markeri Street and Sunshine Boulevard, Mermaid Waters, Gold Coast, QLD, 4218.
Format Three 6 Round Swisses. 'Paradise' August 29 - August 31. 'Surfing' August 30-31. 'Fun' August 30.
Entry fee 'Paradise' $90 (GMs free), 'Surfing' $60, 'Fun' $30.
Prizes 'Paradise' $2000, $1000, $500, $200, $100. 'Surfing' $500, $200, $100 (& rating group prizes). 'Fun' $100 (& runnerup medal).
Registration Entries and payments closing on Monday, 25 August 2008.
Enquiries info@kingsofchess.biz or (0061) 07 5578 5872
Flyer here.

Blayney Open 2008

Venue Blayney Bowling Club, Osman St., Blayney, NSW.
Format 6 Round Swiss. Blitz tournament at 8.00 pm on Saturday.
Prizes Premier (top third) $400, $300, $200. Major $200, $150, $100. Minor $200, $150, $100. NSW Country $150. Unrated, junior & local prizes.
Registration 8.30 to 9.30, Saturday 6 September.
Enquiries philwillb@bigpond.com
Website here.

Nell van de Graaf Classic & teams event

Come and celebrate the last Outreach Chess run tournament at the Nell van de Graaff Classic and teams event. There are prizes for individuals and teams. Saturday will also include a free sausage sizzle at lunchtime. The event will be held on September 20th and 21st at Somerset Sports Pavillion at Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast. We'd love to see you at Australia's 'funnest' tournament so we can say thanks and goodbye.

Venue Somerset College Sports Pavilion, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba (300m west of Somerset College).
Format 6 Round Swiss.
Entry fee $50. $10 discount if paid by 18 September. Second and subsequent members of the same family receive a $10 discount. Non-CAQ members add $10.
Prizes $500, $200, $100. Rating groups $100. U/1000 medals. Team prizes $300, $200, $100.
Registration 8.30 - 9.00 am, Saturday, September 20.
Enquiries outreachchess@bigpond.com or Peter Bender, 5556 0434
Flyer here.

Oceania Zonal Chess Tournament for Men and Women

Venue Outrigger Twin Towns Resort
Format Nine round swiss for Men and Women (or a round robin if appropriate).
DOPs Chief Arbiter: IA Charles Zworestine. Assistant Arbiters: IA Gary Bekker & Graeme Gardiner.
Entry fee dependant on rating. See website.
Prizes Men: $1500, $1000, $750, $500, $400, $250, $150. 1^st under 2000 $300. 1^st under 1800 $300. Women: $750. $500, $300. 1^st under 1800 $300.
Registration by Friday, 6 June, 2009. The organiser may, at his discretion, accept late entries.
Enquiries to Graeme Gardiner, 11 Hardys Road, Mudgeeraba Qld 4213. Phone 5522 7221. Fax 5522 7760. Email ggardiner@gardinerchess.com.
Website here.

OVERSEAS EVENTS CALENDAR

Notice of the following overseas events has been received by the ACF. For more information, please contact auschessnews@gmail.com.

The Miami Chess Open 2008, Hyatt Regency, Miami Convention Center, 10 - 14 September 2008. Open, Under 2100, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, U1100/Unr sections.

TAILPIECE