Clubs League Rd 2: 31/5 at 5pm
Ballarat Chess Club v Bishan Chess Club
Sunday 31st May @ 5pm
Greetings Ballarat Chess Club,
I would like to announce the forthcoming match against the Bishan Chess Club based in Singapore. The match will take place at 5pm on Sunday May 31st.
This match comes on the back of the club taking a thorough 21-11 drubbing against USYD Chess Club. The match was well attended being a 16 board match and not all of our members got a game. We went into the last match as the underdogs and USYD Chess Club found their pieces landing on all the right squares leaving us struggling to notch up many points.
A special mention to Leonard Goodison aka GJL8888 who netted 2 out of 2 against a higher rated opponent bucking the trend on the night. Despite the lopsided score board feedback from the round was one of excitement and a good time was had by all.
I’d like to offer a few words of encouragement but I won’t sugar coat it, Bishan Chess Club is a stronger club than ours so it will be another tough fight for us. There 10th top registered club member is rated 1802. So if they pull out the big guns we will once again be going into the match as serious underdogs. That being said while stronger they are not so strong that we don't have a shot and we will be there giving it a red hot go, and I have always thought points scored against stronger opponents are always the sweeter.
See you all Sunday at or before 4:45pm, follow the link below to navigate to the match. https://www.chess.com/live#tm=12141
Scott, League Coordinator
Box Hill Juniors challenge, 30/5/20 3pm
Ballarat Club players will have the opportunity to play against the well-trained up and coming juniors of the Box Hill Canterbury Chess Club, on Saturday 30 May at 3 pm. Many of them missed out on playing us last time and would like another chance.
Time: 10 min + 3 sec increment from move 1.
Each player from the club team to play 2 games, one with white and reverse with black.
Numbers: 10 to 40 depending on the numbers of Ballarat players available.
Here is the link: https://www.chess.com/live#tm=12068
Monday 25/5 Swiss 10m + 5s
https://www.chess.com/live#t=1237303
Our 5 round Swiss mysteriously ended after four rounds, leaving Ruari, Patrick and Rob all with 3 points. Some wild games were played and fun was had by all.
Chess.com tips and tricks
Any games of yours or others can be viewed and analysed on Chess.com. Firstly you have to find a game. Say, for example, that you want to see the latest game of the current tournament leader. Place your mouse over the Play option (top left menu), then the sub-menu pops up and you select Archive from the bottom option. You'll see your most recent games listed here. On the right is a search and filter section. Click here for the rest of this 'How to..' info bite.
Clubs League Rd1
Sixteen players from each side, 15 minutes, 2 seconds increment - a lot of fun was had with some great individual results and games being played. Although we were outgunned in terms of ratings for all but 6 boards, the camaraderie was palpable - go Ballarat!
Definitely a success, we are looking forward to the next match on May 31, which will be announced by Scott, our Leagues Coordinator.
USYD games Click to navigate to the USYD v Ballarat Match results and games.
NB: Rules - https://www.chess.com/news/view/clubs-league-rules-and-format-1
Arthur Teters Memorial: Round 6
Garry has continued his good run, defeating Jamie who misplayed a rook ending. He stands on 5 points followed closely by Ruari, Joel and Kevin on 4.5 - they all won their games. Scott resigned a hitherto even game after a careless knight move left his knight and queen forked. Kevin took a throwaway win from Hossam who must have become tired, and gave back his overwhelming advantage.
Depending upon how the cards fall in the final round, 8 players have a chance at sharing the first prize! The draw is out - who are you playing?
Coaching via Zoom & Chess.com
The timetable for the junior chess coaching is:
Simon: Wednesdays starting at 6pm from the 8th/4
Jasan and Ruari: Fridays starting at 6pm from the 10th/4
Head coach Simon Rutherford has contacted all students and it is hoped that sessions will be able to start again shortly. If anyone else wishes to join the junior coaching sessions then please contact Simon on srpj@bigpond.com . Any adult player can also contact either Simon or Kevin and we will assess if there is sufficient interest in holding sessions for adult players.
Junior Coaching
The Junior Coaching sessions with Simon, Jasan and Ruari have resumed online and we are now taking enrolments for Term 2. If anyone wishes to join Term 2 then please contact Simon on srpj@bigpond.com . You do not need to have completed Term 1 to join Term 2.
Barrow van Riel Shield
We played the match online this year due to social distancing restrictions, on Chess.com, after Nigel rounded up the Bendigo crew, and Patrick the Ballarat players. Had a bit of trouble getting Ken C online to play Kevin, but the game was completed somehow, even though it's nowhere to be seen on chess.com! Unlike the two match ties of previous years, we had a definitive win against Bendigo, 7.5 - 2.5. Thanks to all the participants for keeping our friendly match going, even in these tough times!
BMI closure
In accordance with updated advice from Federal and State governments, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute will be closing the library and suspending all activities in the building until such time as the threat of COVID-19 has subsided and government advice changes.
This closure will be in place from Tuesday 24th March at 3.00pm.
For info re coaching, junior tournaments, study resources etc.. visit the Ballarat Junior Chess Club pages.
New to Chess?
A great site for learning the basics from a cool video, improving your chess with puzzles, and playing against QWERTY the chess computer, check out ChessKid.com.
How to write down your games - Chess notation made easy here!
Coffee and Chess
Homeground on Sturt St next to BMI, Frangos up from Myers, and The Building at 30 Main Rd now all have chess sets donated by BCC, available for use by patrons - have a coffee and a game! Below, Kevin and grandson, Monty, enjoy a game in the sun! Rob has an the ongoing challenge match with Patrick.
Bas' Chess Columns
From April 1991 until March 1993, Bas wrote a fortnightly chess column for the Ballarat Courier. Read them here
