59th Club Championships 2024

Club Championships Conclude

The 59th Ballarat Chess Club Championships, in the centenary year of F.I.D.E., was an exciting event, despite the absence of so many of our strongest players. Several players who would otherwise not get a spot in the 'A' group grabbed their chance and acquitted themselves well. Defending Champion James Watson was steady throughout and becomes the 10th player to win back-to-back Championships. Declan Smith, new to the Club, pushed James all the way, and only a late stumble prevented him from winning the title himself. As for the rest, Declan Mahar, just 10 years old at the start of the tournament, proved to be a genuine “disturber of the peace”, taking some big scalps on his way to shared third place alongside mystery man Paul Marko and the unpredictable Jamie Brotheridge. As ever, 7-time Champion, veteran Kevin Perrin had flashes of his old strength, it seems that age shall not weary him. Not so our President, 8-time Champion Patrick Cook, who managed to finish last without winning a game! The Reserves Championship was also a tight race, with a bunch of players vying for the title. At the end, Lucas Ware and Oscar Heawood finished tied on 8.5/11 and a play-off will be required. They were just a half point ahead of Patrick Frost and Steven Nimmo. The 'C' grade tournament was also close, with junior Sam Song winning the medal on 6/9, a half point ahead of veteran Trevor Ivory. Next year will be the 60th Championship of our modern history, and with our current crop of players it promises to be equally as exciting as this year’s tournaments.

James Watson and Lucas Ware receive their medals for Champion and Reserves Champion 2024

Round 11

Before the last round commenced, it was announced that Andrew Liu had, sadly, had to withdraw from the tournament. Since he has not played half the scheduled games, all his results are annulled, although the games will be rated. Newcomer Declan Smith is the nominal leader, with defending Champion James Watson just a half point behind, but with a game in hand. No one else can catch them. Paul Marko duly fell to Declan Smith, while veteran Patrick Cook was unable to cope with James Watson in a Benko Gambit. Vipin Jyani versus Peter Stickland was a hard fought draw, as was Jamie Brotheridge versus Justin Goodison. Kevin Perrin showed a glimpse of his past glory with a fine win against Michael Leckie. Declan Mahar versus Andrew Liu was not played. James Watson duly played his postponed Rd. 10 game against Vipin Jyani a few days later and again won with the Benko Gambit, his only mistake was playing with the wrong colour! So, James Watson is the 2024 Ballarat Chess Club Champion, his 3rd title overall. In the Reserves, Lucas Ware and Oscar Heawood finished in a tie and a play-off for the title will be required. The 'C' grade title was won by junior Sam Song.

Rounds 9 and 10

With the Championships nearing the end, James Watson and Declan Smith are best placed in the 'A' group, with Oscar Heawood and Lucas Ware vying for the 'Reserves'. In Round 9, Declan Smith versus Andrew Liu was postponed. Paul Marko could not hold James Watson in a Rossolimo Sicilian, Vipin Jyani won a good game against Justin Goodison, the “drawmeister” Patrick Cook duly drew a quiet game against Michael Leckie, and Jamie Brotheridge versus Kevin Perrin was a rather more dramatic draw.

Meanwhile, several postponed games were played at the Public Library. From Round 2, Patrick Cook versus Declan Smith was a long, absorbing grind that Declan eventually won, after the game was adjourned! A rare occurrence in modern chess. From Round 6, Justin Goodison also fell to Declan Smith, and from Round 7, Peter Stickland collapsed to defeat in a probably drawn endgame against Andrew Liu. In Round 10, Andrew Liu versus Kevin Perrin and James Watson versus Vipin Jyani were postponed. Justin Goodison didn't provoke the somnolent Patrick Cook and a draw was duly agreed. Michael Leckie versus Jamie Brotheridge was a rather more complicated draw. Peter Stickland was unable to punish Paul Marko's Philidor Defence and lost a messy game.

And Declan Smith, leading the tournament, paid the price for underestimating the youngest player in the field, Declan Mahar, who would not die and grabbed his chance near the end of a very long game to cause the upset of the Championships and hand James Watson a lifeline!

Rounds 7 and 8

Round 7 saw the much anticipated showdown between runaway leaders Declan Smith and James Watson, with Declan scoring an important win. Paul Marko continued his excellent form with a fighting win over Michael Leckie, and youngster Declan Mahar defeating fellow junior Justin Goodison. Vipin Jyani settled for a draw versus Kevin Perrin, and the traditional grudge match between out of form Patrick Cook and Jamie Brotheridge also smouldered to a draw. Peter Stickland versus Andrew Liu was another postponed game.
In Round 8, Michael Leckie scored an excellent win against Vipin Jyani, Justin Goodison recovered to defeat Paul Marko, James Watson brushed aside Declan Mahar, and Peter Stickland was no match for Declan Smith. Andrew Liu versus Jamie Brotheridge was a curiosity, with Andrew resigning a superior position because he had to leave, unaware that he could have adjourned the game! The 40th Championship tournament game between Kevin Perrin and Patrick Cook ended peacefully in a draw after just 15 moves.

Rounds 5 and 6

Round 5 saw more tough, fighting chess. High flying Paul Marko fell to excellent play by Jamie Brotheridge, Peter Stickland played the Scotch, but was held to a draw by Justin Goodison, junior Declan Mahar defeated veteran Kevin Perrin, Vipin Jyani was unable to take advantage of Patrick Cooks poor form and drew after a complex fight, and Declan Smith was held to a draw by Michael Leckie in a lengthy endgame. James Watson versus Andrew Liu was postponed. Two more games, Andrew Liu versus Patrick Cook, and Justin Goodison versus Declan Smith, were postponed in round 6. The other four games were decisive with Jamie Brotheridge defeating Vipin Jyani, Kevin Perrin inflicting a 2nd successive defeat on Paul Marko, Michael Leckie seeing off Declan Mahar, and James Watson dispatching Peter Stickland. With so many postponed games the standings are a bit confused, but defending Champion James Watson is best placed.

Rounds 3 and 4

The tournament(s) continued with feisty and absorbing play in Round 3. The favourites for the title, James Watson and Declan Smith, continued to show their strength with convincing wins. 10 year old Declan Mahar grabbed his chance to snatch a draw from veteran Patrick Cook, and Paul Marko mated Vipin Jyani in a messy fight. Only 3 games were played in Round 4 on the night, with the others postponed. Patrick Cook showed continuing poor form, falling to Paul Marko after going astray late in a complicated struggle, Kevin Perrin was dealt with by Declan Smith, and Jamie Brotheridge was stunned by the ever alert Declan Mahar.

Rounds 1 and 2

There was only one real upset in Round 1: Peter Stickland took advantage of an underdeveloped Patrick Cook who had gone pawn hunting, and successfully attacked the uncastled black king, netting material which lead to Patrick's resignation. Round 2 went to ratings, however, with draws and adjournments, only two players are on full points - 2023 champion, James Watson, and upcoming Justin Goodison.

1. Before the start of the 1st rnd of the BCC 2024 2. BCC'24 Round 13. BCC'24 Round 1 & 4. BCC'24 Round 1
5. BCC'24 Round 1 6. BCC'24 Round 1
1.BCC Round 2 & 2.BCC Round 2

3.BCC'24 Round 2

Introduction

The 2024 Ballarat Chess Club championships, the 59th in our long and proud modern history, has a splendid entry of 38 players in 3 sections : 12 in the Championship for the “Andy Miitel” Memorial, 12 in the Reserves for the “John Baynham” Memorial, and 14 in the 'C' grade for the “John Abson” medal. For the 1st time, this year all games will be F.I.D.E. rated as well as A.C.F. rated. As several strong players are absent from the field, a number of hungry juniors stepped up to play in the 'A' group, with defending Champion James Watson the top seed, and newcomer Declan Smith his most likely challenger. The doyen of Ballarat chess, Kevin Perrin, is, of course, playing his 59th Championship! What an extraordinary record. Club President Patrick Cook is playing his 40th Championship, and will be presented with a special medallion to mark the occasion. In the Reserves, Tom Oppenheim is top seed, and may finally win the title that has eluded him. Club Secretary Anna Yates is also a serious contender. The 'C' grade is hard to pick, but experienced Trevor Ivory has a real chance. So, let the games begin....