All Welcome!
Thursday evenings at the BMI
All Welcome!
Thursday evenings at the BMI
We're off! Rounds 1-3 have been played with somewhat predictable results; FM Simon and CM Declan undefeated on 3 points. The old guard of Bas, Rob and Patrick all continue to Round 4 with full points as well.
Patrick came away nearly unscathed in the blitz - his only lost game was against Terrance Wang who has been in good form lately. Alberto and Vipin were hot on his tail but couldn't quite get there.
On the second Thursday of the school holidays we held a Round Robin - 5 rounds with 6 players per section, 10 minutes, no increment! It was a lot of fun with time pressure leading to some shakey moves towards the end - Rod was seen to move his King like a Queen to take his opponents Queen, then being penalised a minute of his time, be given back the opponent's Queen for free, then moving his King like a Knight - unfortunately leading to a forfeit (two illegal moves = you're out!)
Results on the News page here...
For the second year running, GM Darryl Johansen visited Ballarat Chess Club on a cold and wet Thursday evening to play against all contenders up for a challenge.
30 boards upstairs with GM Johansen, 5 boards downstairs with CM Declan Smith, and between them they only conceded one half of a point. Last year three draws were achieved, one by Declan and two from Minsi and her dad, and this year Rob Loveband was the only one to get a half point score in the exhibition. Read more and see the photos here...
The 2026 Club Championship has officially concluded. Declan Smith clinched the overall title with a commanding 8/9, finishing just ahead of James Watson on 7.5/9. Making his win back‑to‑back years, he is now poised to join the greats of the club’s history if he delivers again next year — achieving a feat only matched by Bas van Riel before him. Continue report and see the play-offs list here...
Before the 8th round of the tournament started everyone enjoyed a short celebration of the club's 170th birthday, with photos and food.
Vipin played the Nimzo‑Indian Defense, a sharp option against d4 c4 Nc3 openings. He played a brilliant game until he missed the move 38.Qxh6 because the pawn was pinned to the king. James Watson didn’t let up, securing a victory over Patrick Cook. Sam Song pulled off a masterful win against Scott Stewart, playing into a Sicilian Dragon including a4, a less common choice. Scott later found himself in a somewhat equal position with a lot of imbalances and a position that was almost impossible to defend; he resigned on move 24 after he had no hope of achieving any points. Davin was given a free lesson by Rob Loveband, and Jamie picked up a quick and comfortable win against up‑and‑coming junior Terrance Wang. Continue report here...
Wear something old on Thursday 18th to invoke some feelings about the first time BCC was formed in 1856, or just bring a pack of chips to share, let's celebrate in some form the continuing existence of our chess club! Even if you forget all that - just being here for a game of chess is enough!
People queueing outside BMI to get in to play chess in 1869
For info re coaching, junior tournaments, study resources etc., visit the Ballarat Junior Chess Club pages.
There are some chess sets for use at the following cafes... just ask!
Fergusson Plarre next to Woolies, Beechworth Bakery near the Court House
Chess is also played at Woowookarung lookout, but you'll need to take your own set!
To all members and chess players
The Humffray Room at the BMI is now in use for all club activities. Enter the foyer, walk up the stairs or take the lift to the third level. Remember to turn your phone to silent!
From April 1991 until March 1993, Bas wrote a fortnightly chess column for the Ballarat Courier. Read them here
ChessChat is a platform where all matters Chess Australia are discussed.
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.
Chess Victoria is the not‑for‑profit peak body for chess in the state of Victoria. Founded in 1938 (incorporated in 1983, renamed in 2000), it is one of seven state associations under the Australian Chess Federation. It fosters, governs, and organises chess through affiliations with local clubs.
