Editorial
by Miles Patterson
Welcome to the April 2024 ACF Newsletter. Thanks for all the contributions for this issue. Please note the Olympiad appeal notice in this issue.
ACF Newsletter publishing platform change
by IA Keong Ang
From this issue onwards, the ACF Newsletter would be published with Substack. Past issues that were published with Mailchimp will remain there. All subscribers should have been moved to Substack and should continue receiving the ACF Newsletter without any further input. Please manage your subscription on Substack from now onwards.
The ACF Newsletter’s design and presentation will be different. We hope you would find it an improvement that is easier to read while still retaining a familiar presentation style. It is envisaged that the ACF Newsletter’s design may continue evolving as we adapt to using Substack.
ACF Notices
ACF OLYMPIAD APPEAL – 45TH CHESS OLYMPIAD
The biennial Chess Olympiad is one of the world’s largest sporting events, and the premier teams event on the global chess calendar. After a succession of Asian venues in recent years, the Olympiad returns to Europe – Budapest, the Hungarian capital, is hosting the 45th Olympiad from 10-23 September.
Australia has performed remarkably well against the rest of the world. We have contested every Olympiad since 1968, our open team tying for 25th place (of 187) and our women tying for 35th (of 161) at the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai.
Again, this year Australia will be one of the expected 190 nations competing, fielding an open and a women’s team (each five players plus captain) of our best available players, together with a Head of Delegation representing ACF at the FIDE Congress.
…but there’s a catch
…the Australian nemesis, the tyranny of distance – Australia is a long way from just about anywhere. As airlines recover from the Covid-19 downturn, the days of cheap fares are yet to return. By departing on 6th September and delaying the return flight till 24th September, China Eastern is the best available (at mid-March, but fares change almost daily), with a $1561 return fare from Sydney via Shanghai to Budapest – 28 hours outbound and 36 hours homeward bound (via Wuhan, Xi-An and Shanghai).
While other national teams receive government support, our teams must meet their own travel costs.
That’s where you come in. The teams need your support to represent us. Please give what you can to the appeal.
All donations will be acknowledged on the ACF web site and in the ACF Newsletter. The Australian Chess Federation will match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to half of the total cost, leaving an estimated $11000 to be raised, including incidental costs such as FIDE registration and entry fees; and uniform costs.
To donate, click here:
http://www.acfappeal.aunz.org/donate.html
AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR CHESS TOURNAMENTS
Any inquiries can be sent to Australian Junior Chess Coordinator, Henry Slater-Jones, at henryslaterjones@gmail.com.
ACF POSITIONS
The following ACF Council-appointed positions are vacant. Councillors and others wishing to inquire or register interest in appointment to one or more of these positions are welcome to email executive@auschess.org.au or phone 0409 525 963 at any time.
Advertising Manager. It has been suggested that, ideally, the appointee would be a person with an interest in coordinating advertising in both the ACF newsletter and website, and at or in connection with ACF championships, the Grand Prix and other major ACF events.
Assistant Secretary. This position and the currently filled position of Assistant Treasurer were created to provide opportunities for younger administrators to experience the joys of chess administration at national level.
Archives Director. Generally, the Archives Director would be expected to gather, maintain and build a repository of records and documents that might be of historical interest or value, or which might help in confirming the organisation’s status or credibility for a variety of purposes.
Trophies Officer. Responsibilities relating to trophies and other mementos to be presented in connection with ACF Championships and other events.
ACF FUNDING SUPPORT PROGRAM
The application deadline for activities commencing between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025 is 30 June 2024. Application forms and related information are available on request to executive@auschess.org.au.
News from the States / Territories
Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory Chess Association (ACTCA)
Recent Events
2024 DOEBERL CUP
(Based largely on reporting by Paul Power and Shaun Press)
The Doeberl Cup attracted a strong, record-breaking entry of 416 national and international chess players. Defending Champion Hrant Melkumyan of Armenia headed a field including current Australian Champion, Rishi Sardana of ACT, three Indian Grandmasters, in form former title holder Victorian James Morris and Junta Ikeda of ACT.
Players representing Serbia, China, Brazil, Mongolia, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore joined the contest for their share in the total prize pool of over $25,000. Australian players were vying for selection in the Australian team for the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in September. International Masters were looking for strong performances to advance towards Grandmaster titles.
GM Hrant Melkumyan recorded his 3rd O2C Doeberl Cup tournament win in a row, after a dominant performance in the 2024 edition. Going into the final round a full point ahead, he drew with GM Mitrabha Guha to reach 8/9. IM Peng Cheng also drew on board 2, to take 2nd place on 7/9. IM Arghyadip Das defeated FM Albert Winkleman on board 3 to take a share of 2nd, also ending Winkelman's chances of scoring an IM norm in the process.
The Major was won by Bryan Yang on 6.5/7. He finished a point ahead of Elliot Wong, Ethan Chang and Daniel Wang. The Minor was shared between Austin Chen and Chee Seng Lue, who both scored 6/7. The Mini saw Aden Power finish with a perfect 7/7, a full point ahead of Alexander Warne. The U1200 event was won by Harry Phillips with 5.5/6.
Anton Smirnov won the 120 player Open blitz with 8/9, ahead of a field that included GM Mitrabha Guha, IM James Morris, IM Mihajlo Radovanovic and WIM Heather Richards.
The U1600 blitz was won by Benjamin Martin with 7/7. Second was Woo Jun Ki on 6, third equal were Kotaro Inukai and Sitong Hao on 5.5. With 60 players.
Upcoming Events
2024 ACT Championships 24-27 May. Details TBN.
New South Wales
New South Wales Chess Association Inc (NSWCA)
Recent Events
UNSW OPEN WEEKENDER
1st IM Rishi Sardana, 6.5/7
2nd Liam Duero, 5.5
3rd= Aiden Odenthal, Changhao Yu, Micah Young, Terrence Tang, 5
44 players
Upcoming Events
2024 City of Sydney Rapid
Sunday 21 April, Sydney Academy of Chess, Level 2 Suite 2, 1-17 Elsie Street, Burwood, NSW
2024 City of Sydney Rapid.pdf (nswca.org.au)
2024 Wollongong ANZACs Rapid
27 April, Wollongong Collegians 3A Charlotte St Wollongong
WCC ANZAC Rapid BrochureV_v3.pdf (nswca.org.au)
Chatswood Checkmate Allegro
Sunday 19th May, The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood.
2024 Chatswood Checkmate Allegro.pdf (nswca.org.au)
2024 Sydney Chess Championships
6-10 July, James Ruse Agricultural High School
Open, Minor, Blitz. Prize pool $13,000
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Chess Association
Queensland
Chess Association of Queensland Inc (CAQ)
Recent Events
WENDY TERRY MEMORIAL
1st= Marc Calong Fabregat, Jai Turner, 5/6
8 players tied for third
66 players
2024 UQ MARCH CLASSIC
1st Ian Li, 5.5/6
2nd Austen Chen, 4.5
3rd Terrence Li, 4
19 players
STRATEGIC MINDS CHESS CLUB END OF TERM 1 FIDE BLITZ
1st: IM Sravan Renjith
2nd: FM Jack Rodgers
3rd: Ryan Liaw
Upcoming Events
2024 Vaso Memorial Blitz Knockout Cup
19 Apr 2024, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Fradgley Hall CC, 14 Ocean Street, Burleigh Heads QLD
2024 Vaso Memorial Blitz Knockout Cup - Gold Coast Chess Club (chesschat.org)
2024 Linglong Cup
28 April, MacGregor State High School, Blackwattle St, Macgregor
2024-Linglong-Cup-entry.jpg (1418×2048) (caq.org.au)
2024 Byron Capital Darling Downs Open
May 2 – 6, 2024 at Concordia Lutheran College, 154 Stephen St, Harristown QLD 4350
Peninsula Open 2024
22-23 June, Grace Lutheran College - Rothwell Campus, Anzac Ave &, Mewes Rd, Rothwell
The-59th-consecutive-Peninsula-Open-Sat-June-22-Sun-June-23-2024.pdf (caq.org.au)
Gold Coast Open
27 June – 1 July
Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre, 833 Nerang Southport Road, Nerang
Gold Coast Open 2024 (chesschat.org)
South Australia
South Australian Chess Association Inc (SACA)
Recent Events
THE WEST TORRENS CHESS CLASSIC OPEN RAPID
After four-way play-off:
1st Place: IM Trevor Tao
2nd Place: FM Bill Jordan
3rd Place: Song Yang
4th Place: Cheng Dai
40 players. Full results:
THE WEST TORRENS CHESS CLASSIC JUNIOR RAPID
1st Charlotte Chen 5.5/6
2nd Shourya Dash,
26 players. Full results:
THE WEST TORRENS CHESS CLASSIC OPEN BLITZ
1st Song Yang 9.5/11
24 players. Full results:
THE WEST TORRENS CHESS CLASSIC JUNIOR BLITZ
1st= Isaac Schiavone, Cindy Chen, Manav Kartikeyan, 9/11
22 players. Full results:
Upcoming Events
April Blitz 2024
Tuesday 16th of April, 7pm at Chess Centre, Adelaide
11 Rounds, Swiss System or Round Robin; Time Control: 3 minutes plus 2 seconds a move
Details: April Blitz 2024 | South Australian Chess Association (sachess.org.au)
SA Blitz Chess Championship 2024
Thursday 18th of April, 7pm at Chess Centre, Adelaide
11 Rounds, Swiss System or Round Robin; Time Control: 3 minutes plus 2 seconds a move
Details: SA Blitz Chess Championship 2024 | South Australian Chess Association (sachess.org.au)
2024 City of Adelaide Junior Chess Championships
Monday 22nd - Wednesday 24th April 2024
New Venue: Prince Alfred College, 23 Dequetteville Tce, Kent Town
April Allegro #2 2024
Thursday 25 April, 7pm at Chess Centre, Adelaide
5 Rounds, Swiss System; Time Control: 10 minutes plus 2 seconds a move
Details: April Allegro #2 2024 | South Australian Chess Association (sachess.org.au)
PHOENIX CUP Junior FIDE 30/30
29-30 June, Christian Brothers College, 214 Wakefield Street, Adelaide
Phoenix Cup 2024 | Chess Life Academy
Tasmania
Tasmanian Chess Association Inc (TCA)
Recent Events
2024 TASMANIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Chris Shepherd’s report, courtesy of the TCA site:
Traditionally Launceston Chess Club (LCC) hosts the Tasmanian State Championships, over the long weekend in March. Geographically, Launceston sits in between the southern state capital Hobart and the North coast cities of Devonport and Burnie. This was my sixth consecutive year of traveling up the National Highway 1 to take part, having made my debut in the 2019 event, drawn by the star power of Grandmaster David Smerdon who took part that year.
Since the closure of the YMCA in Launceston, the LCC have been looking for a new home for the State Champs. After a trip out to Carrick in 2023, this year’s event was hosted in Rocherlea Memorial Hall, in the outer northern suburbs of greater Launceston. The success of this year’s event hopefully means the State Champs have found a new home for 2025 and beyond.
The rude health of chess in Tasmania was evidenced by a near record breaking field taking part this year. There was some talk that we might break the long-standing record of 32 players who contested for the title in 2007. In the end several late withdrawals reduced the field to 30. However, three players made the trip from the big island to take part. Friend of the tournament Miles Patterson from Canberra, Darryl Ross of NSW and Ron Kuypers from Queensland. It was also good to see a healthy number of young people on the start list, with just over 50% of the entries aged between 16 and 39.
In an echo of the 2023 Tasmanian Open, the oldest player David Ratkowsky was drawn against the youngest Karl Lee in the final round. I also played Karl in round 4, a nerve-racking experience, because I coach Karl and a cohort of his fellow pupils at the Calvin school in Kingston and I was therefore extra keen not to lose.
After seven rounds of hard-fought chess Carl Gorka retained his title of Tasmanian State Champion, finishing on a score of 6 out of 7 (5 wins and 2 draws). Kevin Bonham, Zach Lim and Fabian Ivancic all finished equal second on 5 out of 7.
In addition to Carl’s achievement, history was also made in Tasmanian chess by Anya Song who finished equal 5th on 4.5/7. I understand this is the highest score by a female player in Championship history. Anya was awarded a cash prize very kindly donated by Carl Gorka.
The Junior prize was shared between Will Rumley and Himash Keerthiratne. In addition, Himash shared the under 1800 rating prize with Noah Carpenter. Finally, James Banbury was awarded the under 1500 rating prize.
The Tasmanian Senior Champion title is shared between Ian Rout and me (Chris Shepherd).
Full results: 2024 Tasmanian Championships Launceston Mar 9-11 - Page 2 (chesschat.org)
Upcoming Events
Tony Sturges Memorial
Monday, April 22, 2024, 18:30 - 21:30
Guildford Young College, 168 Brisbane St, West Hobart
Tony Sturges Memorial Tournament - Tasmanian Chess Association (Inc.)
ANZAC Day Weekender Hobart
25-28 April, Guilford Youngs College
ANZAC Day Weekender Hobart (chesschat.org)
Burnie Winter Festival
6-7 July
Huon Valley Chess Festival 2024
11-13 October
Huon Valley Chess Festival 2024 hosted by Huon Valley Chess (chesschat.org)
Victoria
Recent Events
BALLARAT BEGONIA OPEN
From Paul Power’s bulletins:
A strong field in the Ballarat Begonia Open, led by UK Grandmaster Gwain Jones, Australian Grandmaster Zong-Yuan Zhao and record-holding winner of 14 Ballarat Open titles, Grandmaster Darryl Johansen, defending champion International Master James Morris and Woman Grandmaster Julia Ryjanova, competed for the title and over $12,000 prize money.
Players from most Australian states, with representatives from UK, Ireland, Vietnam and Nigeria, made a record entry list of 225.
Defending champion James Morris and top seed UK's Gawain Jones triumphed on the final day's play to share the title.
In the final round games, on Board 1, Gawain Jones' opponent, Kris Chan (Black), lost a Knight on move 16.
After 14... Nxe4
there followed 15. Nxe4 d5 reclaiming the Knight with the fork, then 16. g4 attacking Black's Knight.
Black responded 16... dxe4 and White 17. gxh5 winning a Knight and it was game over.
But, instead, Black could have played 16... f5 17. Ng5 (17. gxh5 f4 18. Bc1 dxe4 19. Bb2 Qg5+ with a strong attack) 17... dxc4 (17... Qf6 18. Bb3 f4 19. Bd2 Qxd4 20. gxh5 f3) 18. Nde6 Bxe6 19. Nxe6 Qxd1 20. Raxd1 Rfe8 21. Nc7 Nf6 22. Nxa8 Rxa8
Board 2 saw James Morris (Black) defending against an English Opening from Chris Wallis with a Kramnik-Shirov Counter-attack
reaching the same position, after 4... d6 as Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Viswanathan Anand, Tal Memorial, Moscow, 2018
Nepomniachtchi continued 5. a3; Wallis 5. e3
A critical position was reached after 15... h6
where White can resolve the negative antagonism with respect to the a1 Rook by 16. a3 bxa3 17. Rxa3
But, instead, chose 16. d4; there followed 16... cxd4 17. exd4 e4 18. Ne5 and Black can now play 18... Rac8 with advantage; but, instead chose 18... Bxe2 19. Qxe2 Ra6
After some manoeuvring, by 25... Rb6
Black's pieces were much better than White's. White's Bishop is locked in and White's best chance is to activate Rooks on the open c-file
To this end, Black helped White by playing 27... Qc6
allowing 21. Rc1 and White some respite.
After further manoeuvring, by 40... Kg7
White's pieces were still misplaced and Black must find a way to take advantage.
The incursion began with 41... Qd3
There followed 42. Qe2 Qxe2 43. Rxe2 Rec6 44. Rfe1 f5 45. g4 (a desperate misplaced bid for space) 45... fxg4 46. hxg4 Kf6 the King and Rook will join the incursion
and by 50... Kxg4
it was game over.
A great performance by Morris (whose only regret is that the event does not qualify for GM norms).
Final results: 2024 Begonia Open (ballaratchess.com)
2024 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Major
1st GM Guha Mitrabha 7.5/9, 2nd FM Felix Xie 6.5, six-way tie for third. 42 players. Full results: Major (melbourneio.com.au)
Open
1st CM James Hartley 8/9, 2nd CM Hara Salasan 7.5, three-way tie for third. 120 players. Full results: Open (melbourneio.com.au)
Upcoming Events
Western Autumn Junior Championship 2024 20 April
Salvation Army, 108 Queen Street Altona
6 Rounds Rapid
18 years and under
Western Autumn Junior Championship 2024 (chesschat.org)
2024 Bob Bergmanis Memorial Weekender
24-28 April, Melbourne Chess Club, 66 Leicester St, Fitzroy.
2024 Bob Bergmanis Memorial Weekender (24-28 April - 9 rounds) (chesschat.org)
Western Australia
Chess Association of Western Australia Inc (CAWA)
Recent Events
2024 WA ALLEGRO CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
1st - 2024 WA Allegro Champion: IM Patrick Gong (9.0/9)
2nd: FM Yihe (Rebo) Fu (8.0/9)
Equal 3rd: Trent Gulley and Marc Vlietstra (6.0/9)
Equal 3rd and 2024 WA Seniors' Allegro Champion: Dominador Andador (6.0/9)
2024 WA Women's Allegro Champion: WFM Kathryn Hardegen (4.5/9)
1st U1400 ACF Quick and Equal 1st U1700 ACF Quick: Jack Uhlmann (5.5/9)
Equal 1st U1700 ACF Quick: Lyndon While (5.5/9)
Equal 3rd U1700 ACF Quick: Leo Gong and Thien Huy Tran (5.0/9)
1st U1000 ACF Quick (including Unrated): Michael Gerrard (5.0/9)
Full results: https://chess-results.com/tnr878632.aspx?
2024 CAWA AUTUMN BLITZ
1st Bozidar Mandic.
17 players.
Upcoming Events
2024 WA Rapidplay Chess Championship, 28 April
Details TBA
New Zealand
New Zealand Chess News (newzealandchess.nz)
Recent Events
16 March Latvian Rapid 2024
1st A Grade: FM Alphaeus Wei Ern Ang (Latvian Rapid Champion)
1st B Grade: Duncan McDonald
1st equal C Grade: Brian Liu
1st equal C Grade: Dominic Villard
1st D Grade: Aaron Prince
23-24 March Auckland Chess Weekend March 2024
1st: Yanbo Jin
29 March - 1 April North Island Championship 2024
1st: IM Anthony F Ker (North Island Champion)
7 April Summit Rookies April 2024
1st equal under2000: Justin Zhide Wang
1st equal under2000: Ziyi Huang
1st under1000: Aaron Prince
Upcoming Events
13-14 April Auckland Blitz Rapid April 2024
25, 27-28 April Auckland ANZAC Weekender 2024
5 May Summit Rookies May 2024
11-12 May Auckland Blitz Rapid May 2024
17 -19 May Arie Nijman Memorial 2024
25-26 May Auckland Chess Weekend May 2024
1-3 June 46th Trusts Open 2024
8 June Kapiti Rapid Tournament 2024
9 June Otago Winter Rapid 2024
9 June Summit Rookies June 2024
15-16 June Auckland Blitz Rapid June 2024
22 June Upper Hutt Rapid 2024
28-30 June Peter Stuart Memorial 2024
7 July Summit Rookies July 2024
10-13 July South Island Championships 2024
13-14 July Auckland Blitz Rapid July 2024
14 July South Island Rapid 2024
20-21 July Auckland Chess Weekend July 2024
20 July FIDE100 Super Blitz 2024
4 August Summit Rookies August 2024
8-11 August NZ Senior Championship 2024
24-25 August Auckland Chess Weekend August 2024
1 September Otago Spring Rapid 2024
1 September Summit Rookies September 2024
7-8 September Auckland Chess Weekend September 2024
28-29 September NZCF National Interschools Finals 2024
International News
Upcoming International Events
World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024
25-29 April, Durres, Albania
World Cadet Rapid and Blitz 2024 – World Cadet Rapid and Blitz Championships 2024 Albania (fide.com)
World Junior U20 Championships 2024
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from June 1-14, 202
World Junior U20 Championships 2024 (fide.com)
Asian Seniors 50+ and 65+ Chess Championships 2024
1-10 July, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Asian Seniors 50+ and 65+ Chess Championships 2024 (fide.com)
2024 Blue Chevaliers International Open
21-27 July, Phuket, Thailand
Blue Chevaliers International Open (fide.com)
Study of the Month
White to play and win
Solution at the end of the newsletter.
Book Review
By IM Gary Lane
Dream Moves- Eye-Opening Chess Lessons for Improvers by Miron Sher, published by New In Chess, 304 pages.
A series of games which always contain a spectacular move to entertain and educate any player.
The Russian grandmaster moved to the United States in the 1990s and carried on a career teaching chess from beginner to winner including star names such as Peter Heine Nielsen and Fabiano Caruana. In typical fashion of that era, he collected games from tournaments, articles or newspaper columns to help provide material for his lessons. These positions and examples are explored for insights and as a way to show that anyone can play top moves if you recognise the pattern.
A poignant foreword by top American player Robert Hess reveals a coach who was an inspiration and a true friend but the celebrations are curtailed by the reader realising that Miron died in 2020. This book is a tribute to his work and Hess sums up why this book will help you to improve “Pattern Recognition is essential, a muscle that is aided by tactical training. Please use these tests as a path towards improvement. I know they worked for me.”
There are five chapters packed with memorable games with titles such as “The in-between move, “The unprotected piece and intriguing “The 20% rule.” The last one caught my attention because he gives great weight to pawn structure to trigger tactical opportunities. Basically, the idea is that if you have pawns on the fifth or sixth rank, then pushing such a pawn should be high in your list of candidate moves and “…in roughly 20% of such cases, such a pawn move proves to be the best continuation.” Naturally, this is followed by numerous games illustrating the point and the good thing is that there are also notes to describe what is going on and the plans rather than just a basic puzzle.
A charming and calming way to boost your rating.
Looking Back
Bob Meadley has been working on an extensive (55 page) article:
William Crane Jr 1851-1920 – Chess Champion, “Dinkum Aussie” and his ancestry.
Here are some excerpts:
William Crane Jnr born 14th April, 1851. His early work career was in the Government Blue Books and he commenced as a Junior Clerk in the Colonial Secretary’s Department 1/5/1869 then an extra clerk in the Lands Department on 8/8/1870 on £50 pa to 26/9/1870 when he became a clerk in the Inspector General’s Office of Police, then 4th clerk to the Accountant in the Sheriff’s Office 6/2/1872 at £146 pa, 1873 £150 pa then on 1/1/1874 he became Accountant to the Controller General of Prisons at £200 pa to 1878 when he left the Public Service. He was then 27. Then he was a journalist on the Sydney Morning Herald for 36 years.
He was from 1915-20 on the Law Reporting Staff of the SMH. His early career included time with Norton, Smith solicitors, also John Robertson in the Lands Department. He was a noted dog and poultry expert, a Judge at the Royal Easter Show, an Auctioneer for several years, a scorer in Sheffield Shield matches and associated with Sir Edmund Barton in umpiring.
My late friend John van Manen had an article in the National Chess Magazine Chess in Australia, February, 1979 p.33.
“WILLIAM CRANE, a “dinkum Aussie”. This is how C.J.S. Purdy in the Australasian Chess Review of 1941 (p.220) starts a short notice on the chess career of the former Australian Champion, William Crane Jun.
William Crane Jun. became a journalist (Sydney Morning Herald) and was also editor of several chess columns, e.g. in the Town and Country Journal, the Sydney Mail and the Tribune and News of the Week. He was also well known in the cricket world of the 1880s and 1890’s.
But his fame rests on his chess career, which started in the early 1870’s when Charles Gilbert Heydon, the later Attorney General of New South Wales, in a famous letter, published in the Town and Country Journal of 28 October, under the pseudonym “Farzin”, wrote in a critical appraisal of the New South Wales team for the pending match against Victoria: ”Mr. Crane is the most consoling figure of them all. A very young man, and therefore likely to improve; his play is already good in itself, and gives promise of better things. Slow and cautious, certainly, but frequently chessy in his combinations, and with a great power of hard work, he will in a few years be a formidable player. But there is more flower than fruit about him yet, and I can only hope that his inevitable defeat will not completely snuff him out.”
Crane proved that defeat was not inevitable (he drew his game with L.S. Phillips in the match) and crowned a long chess career by winning the Championship in Melbourne 1888. He retired as an active chess player after 1897, but was still for many years honorary secretary of the Sydney Chess Club. He died 23 April 1920, and was buried at the Waverley Cemetery next day, the funeral being attended by a large gathering of friends and colleagues, including S. Crakanthorp, C.E.S. Turner and Dr. Lands for the chess world. A real dinkum Aussie indeed!”
Anyone who would like a copy of the full article should contact Bob at bobandnormameadley@hotmail.com
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For details and links of NSW chess clubs, see: NSW Chess Association (nswca.org.au) chess clubs
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Noosa Shire Tewantin Contact Peter Cam: noosachess@gmail.com
City of Redcliffe Rothwell
Suncoast Buderim Suncoast Chess Club - Home
Springfield Ipswich Chess Club Springfield Lakes. Contact Tyson Walker, president@springfieldchessclub.com.au
Toowoomba Contact: Sam Buckley sam@toowoombachessclub.com.au
Townsville Pimlico
South Australia
South Australian Chess Association Inc (SACA)
Adelaide University North Terrace
LeFevre Queenstown
Marion Cultural Oaklands Park
Modbury Modbury North
West Torrens North Plympton
Tasmania
Tasmanian Chess Association Inc (TCA)
Burnie Havenview
Devonport East Devonport
Hobart Sandy Bay
Launceston Kings Meadow
Victoria
Chess Victoria Inc (CV)
Bandicoot Craigieburn
Box Hill Ashwood
Canterbury Junior Ashwood
Chess Artists Caulfield
Hobsons Bay Altona
Melbourne Fitzroy
Western Australia
Chess Association of Western Australia Inc (CAWA)
Albany Chess Club e-mail: akritaspearce556@gmail.com
Rockingham City Chess Connection e-mail: gregburgess1949@yahoo.com.au
South Perth Senior Citizens Social Chess Club Tel: 9367 9880
Southern Suburbs Chess Club (Facebook page)
UWA Chess Association (Facebook page)
Crobs Coffee and Chess (Facebook page)
ACF Personnel
The Australian Chess Federation is an incorporated association (number A 01325) under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 of the ACT. It is the governing chess organisation in Australia and is affiliated to FIDE (the Fédération Internationale des Échecs).
ACF COUNCIL
State Asssociation Delegates
NSWCA Delegate: Richard Gastineau-Hills nswcouncillor@auschess.org.au
CV Delegate: Leonid Sandler viccouncillor@auschess.org.au
CAQ Delegate: Doug Williams qldcouncillor@auschess.org.au
SACA Delegate: Misheck Muza sacouncillor@auschess.org.au
TCA Delegate: Tom Saltmarsh tascouncillor@auschess.org.au
ACTCA Delegate: Cam Cunningham actcouncillor@auschess.org.au
CAWA Delegate: Andrew Hardegen andrewhardegen@iinet.net.au
Executive Committee
President: Gary Wastell president@auschess.org.au
Deputy President: Bill Gletsos deputy_president@auschess.org.au
Vice-President: Kevin Bonham vice_president1@auschess.org.au
Vice-President: Hughston Parle vice_president2@auschess.org.au
Secretary: Rob Watson secretary@auschess.org.au
Treasurer: Bob Keast treasurer@auschess.org.au
COUNCIL-APPOINTED PERSONNEL
Assistant Secretary: Vacant
Assistant Treasurer: Mishek Muza asst_treasurer@auschess.org.au
Auditor: Ross Hamilton auditor@auschess.org.au
Equipment Coordinator: Bob Keast equipment_officer@auschess.org.au
FIDE Delegate & Admin Officer: Dr. Kevin Bonham fide_delegate@auschess.org.au
FIDE Ratings Officer: Bill Gletsos fide_ratings@auschess.org.au
Junior Chess Coordinator: Henry Slater-Jones junior_chess_coordinator@auschess.org.au
Medals & Awards Convenor: Gary Wastell awards@auschess.org.au
National Ratings Officer: Bill Gletsos acfratings@auschess.org.au
National Ratings Officer: Graham Saint g_saint@tpg.com.au
Newsletter Editor: Keong Ang auschessnews@chessnews.asia
Newsletter Editor: Miles Patterson newsletter_editor@auschess.org.au
Public Officer: Cam Cunningham public_officer@auschess.org.au
Publicity Director: Paul Power publicity@auschess.org.au
Selections Director: Tom Saltmarsh selections_director@auschess.org.au
Webmaster: David Esmonde webmaster@auschess.org.au
Solution to Study of the Month
White to play and win
Solution:
1 Bf2+ Kh5 2 g4+ Kh6 3 Kf6 Kh7 4 g5 (Be3 leads to the same finish) Kh8 5 Bd4 Kh7 6 Ba1 Kh8 7 g6 fxg6 8 Kxg6 mate
(Bernhard Horwitz, 1857)
Newsletter Article Contributions
Please email the editor if there is something you would like published in the next edition of this newsletter.
Examples of articles:
Upcoming chess event.
Results of a chess event that was completed since the last newsletter was published.
Any information that is chess related, especially Australian chess, that could be interesting.