2025 Victorian Country Chess Championship
27 players contested this event at a new venue, the Nancy Long Dining Hall, La Trobe University, Bendigo Campus.
All results went the way of seeding in round 1, but in round 2, Rod Jacobs (Ballarat) played a fine game to defeat third seed Nigel Barrow (Bendigo), while Alex Malejewicz (Macedon) defeated fifth seed, Gaurav Movalia (Bendigo).
Round 3 saw CM Declan Smith (Ballarat) defeat top seed Reinier Milan (Geelong) on board one with an extra minor piece successfully countering connected passed pawns, while defending champion, Ruari Coffey (Bendig) and Alex Malejewicz also moved to 3/3 defeating Rod Jacobs and Paul Marko (Ballarat) respectively.
Round 4 saw joint leaders Declan Smith and Ruari Coffey play out a long draw – Ruari was a pawn up in a bishops of same colours endgame, but was unable to make any headway. Malejewicz also stayed in the joint lead, but through the less arduous path of making use of a half point bye. Reiner Milan stayed in touch with the leaders by defeating Jack Smith (Geelong).
In round 5, Coffey eventually broke through in a long endgame against stubborn resistance by Malejewicz, while Declan Smith defeated Movalia, and Milan defeated Jacobs.
Going into the final round Coffey and Declan Smith led the tournament on 4.5/5, ahead of Milan on 4, with Malejewicz, David Lumsdon (Bendigo) and Harrison Trewin (Yarrawonga) trailing on 3.5.
The final round saw Milan defeat Coffey on board 1 to move up to 5/6. On board 2, David Lumsdon (Bendigo) trapped Declan Smith’s knight in the endgame, but at the cost of connected passed pawns, which Declan was able to utilize to promote to a queen and pick up a victory and outright first place on 5.5/6.
Harrison Trewin defeated Malejewicz to join Coffey in equal third on 4.5.
The Reserves section was taken out by Bendigo junior, Caleb Sing, who faced a tough challenge in the final round, eventually overcoming another junior, Shanaya Guha (Ballarat) to finish on 3.5/6.
Four players finished equal second in the reserves were Rod Hessing (Clifton Springs), Patrick Cook (Bendigo), Paul Marko (Ballarat) and junior, James Kildea (Geelong).
The unrated prize was split between Garang Manyuon (Geelong) and Hudson Ryan (Horsham) playing in his first tournament. In the meeting (traditionally held just before the final round), the VRCL agreed to become an incorporated association, adopted a proposed constitution, and elected office bearers: Kevin Perrin (Ballarat) President, Jack Smith (Geelong), Vice President, Nigel Barrow (Bendigo) Secretary, Ruari Coffey (Bendigo) Treasurer, and Brayden Mertz (Bendigo) Committee Member.
Thanks to the organisers and all of the players for a hard fought, yet enjoyable tournament that maintained a friendly atmosphere. Thanks also to La Trobe University for providing such a great venue.
The Victorian Country Chess Championship is held annually, usually on the second or third weekend of October. As soon as the dates and venue are finalised, they will be advised here. An email will then be sent to all persons who have competed in recent years and those who are on the email distribution list for Victorian Country Chess Players. If you would like to be added to that distribution list, then please contact us.