We are rapidly approaching the Club Championships for 2026 which will commence on Thursday
30 th April. Participation is open to Life Members, current financial members and participants in the junior
chess coaching program. Please make your 2026 membership fees are paid prior to the event. If
you have any questions on fees contact Kevin Perrin.
The format is the same as last year, a 9 round Swiss tournament with accelerated pairings for the
first 5 rounds. (Similar to the Begonia Open).
Players may take up to 2 half point byes in the first seven rounds.
Please register your intention to play in advance to assist the organisation and
pairings. You can do this by emailing the tournament director, Julian, Anna,
or Peter.
Early registration is particularly important if you intend to take a half point bye in Round 1, as the
accelerated format makes late additions difficult.
If you have any questions, please contact Peter or any members of the tournament committee.
Format: The club championship will be conducted as a single division 9 round Swiss tournament.
Prizes: The Club Champion will be the overall winner. B (Reserve) and C Grade winners will be awarded to the highest scoring rated player in the appropriate parts of the
field (rated players only). A prize will also be awarded to the highest scoring un-rated player provided that there are at least 5 unrated players.
Female Champion: The title of Female Champion of the Ballarat Chess Club will be awarded to the highest scoring female player provided there are at least 2 female players competing.
Rate of Play: 60 minutes plus a 30 second increment for each move played.
Tie for First Place: If there is a tie for first place for any division then there will be a one-game playoff between the players.
If more than 2 players are involved, then there will be one game against each player.
The colours will be the opposite of the game played between the 2 players in the
championship or decided by lot if there was no previous game played. If there is still a tie after the playoff, then a further single game will be played by any tied players until an outright winner is decided, with colours alternating. The time control for all games will be same as for the championship. If for any reason the playoff is not completed by the end of that calendar year, then the champion will be decided by a toss of the coin conducted by the Arbiter. It is not expected that this rule will ever have to be applied.
Format: The club championship will be conducted as a single division 9 round Swiss tournament.
Prizes: The Club Champion will be the overall winner. B (Reserve) and C Grade winners will be awarded to the highest scoring rated player in the appropriate parts of the
field (rated players only). A prize will also be awarded to the highest scoring un-rated player provided that there are at least 5 unrated players.
Female Champion: The title of Female Champion of the Ballarat Chess Club will be awarded to the highest scoring female player provided there are at least 2 female players competing.
Rate of Play: 60 minutes plus a 30 second increment for each move played.
Tie for First Place: If there is a tie for first place for any division then there will be a one-game playoff between the players.
If more than 2 players are involved, then there will be one game against each player.
The colours will be the opposite of the game played between the 2 players in the
championship or decided by lot if there was no previous game played. If there is still a tie after the playoff, then a further single game will be played by any tied players until an outright winner is decided, with colours alternating. The time control for all games will be same as for the championship. If for any reason the playoff is not completed by the end of that calendar year, then the champion will be decided by ‘toss of the coin’ conducted by the Arbiter. It is not expected that this rule will ever have to be applied.