Ballarat Chess Club was graced by a visit from a favourite son from our early years on Tuesday evening and an impromptu lightning tournament was organised in his honour.

Mr. Arthur Koelle, now 56, was Victorian Junior champion in 1968 at 14, Country Victorian champion in the same year, and Club champion, also in 1968 as well as 1969. All these achievements are age records to this day! He went on to win the Australian Junior championship in 1971.

Arthur has been living in Germany since 1982 and competed in the famous Bundesliga club competition up until the mid-1990’s when work commitments became more pressing.

His visit to his old home town prompted Kevin Perrin to suggest a friendly tournament be held, and so a 10 round all-play-all contest, named the Koelle Invitational, was arranged. The 11 player field included no less than 7 club champions, headed by Arthur himself. In between pleasant and nostalgic conversation, some lively chess was played, and a thoroughly enjoyable night was had by all.

Appropriately, the tournament was won by our guest of honour with a picket fence 10/10 score, indicating that he has lost none of his strength over the years.

Final scores:

Arthur Koelle                      10
Patrick Cook                       9
Steven Symons                    8
Rob Loveband                      7
Joel Beggs                           6
Rod Jacobs                          5
Bas van Riel                          3
James Eldridge                      2 ½
Geoff Davis                           2
Chris Segrave                        1 ½
Kevin Perrin                          1 

Gallery

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