21-12-2005 – Chess is over for 2005
The time has come to say goodbye to chess for 2005. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. To all those chess addicts of Ballarat — never fear, because chess will be back on 19 January next year with a lightning tournament. See you all then.
01-12-2005 – 2005 Allegro
“No they're more than just fun [games]. [pause] I don't like losing!” — P. Cook, immediately after drawing a game to A. Reynolds in the 2005 Allegro.
18-11-2005 – 2005 John Holmes Memorial concludes
Congratulations go to three players: Joel Beggs, Patrick Cook and Jamie Brotheridge, all sharing first place in the 2005 John Holmes Memorial. Many thanks to all participants for competing.
13-11-2005 – 40th Ballarat Begonia Open
The 40th Ballarat Begonia Open chess tournament will be held from 11–13 March during the Labour Day long weekend.
22-10-2005 – 2005 Victorian Country Chess Championship
The 2005 Victorian Country Chess Championship was held in Castlemaine (“Rookmaine”) on 15–16 October. A field of 16 players competed in a 6‑round Swiss with 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
The winner was Stewart Booth, securing his 18th title with a perfect 6/6. Alistair Anderson finished second, while John Lavery, Patrick Cook and Nigel Barrow shared third. Max Mollard won the Reserves.
Top scorer of the Ballarat contingent was Patrick Cook with 3½.
Ballarat Player Results
Patrick Cook — 3½
Kevin Perrin — 2½
Joel Beggs — 2½
Charlie Andrews — 2½
Robert Bailey — 2
James Eldridge — 1½
18-10-2005 – 2005 John Holmes Memorial is underway
This year's John Holmes Memorial has some new players on the scene. It is a 7‑round Swiss, with results submitted to the ACF for grading. The event honours a young Ballarat chess enthusiast who tragically died in a motor vehicle accident.
15-09-2005 – Ballarat Club Championship 2005 Concludes
The 40th Ballarat Club Championship is over! The winner is Patrick Cook, and the Reserves champion is John Frangakis.
Congratulations to both players, and many thanks to all who competed in a close and hard‑fought tournament.
09-05-2005 – Ballarat Club Championship 2005
The 40th Ballarat Club Championship is now fully underway. Due to lower numbers, A‑grade and B‑grade have been combined into a 14‑player single round robin. The B‑grade champion will be the highest‑placed lower‑ranked player.
12-04-2005 – Ballarat Blitz
Lightning #2 – 11‑round Swiss (5 minutes per side)
The second of five lightning tournaments for the 2005 Lightning Championship was held on Thursday night. The event progressed with uncertainty until the second‑last round, when Patrick Cook escaped a bad position against John Frangakis to take the lead.
Robert Bailey avoided a zero score with a final‑round draw against Michael Schreenan. Plenty of wild chess was played under time pressure.
Results
1. Patrick Cook — 9½
2. Jamie Brotheridge — 9
3. Peter Miitel — 7½
4. Scott Stewart — 7
5. Peter Lumsdon — 6
6. Michael Schreenan — 4½
7. James Eldridge — 4
8. Joel Beggs — 3
9. Darren Young — 2
10. John Frangakis — 2
11. Robert Bailey — ½
20-01-2005 – Chess is Back for 2005
The Ballarat Chess Club opened its doors for 2005, with Thursday nights returning to normal. This year the lightning tournaments form a Championship to determine the 2005 Lightning Champion. The best three results from five events will count toward the final tally.
2005 Lightning #1 – 9‑round Swiss (5 minutes per side)
The event was contested by 10 players. The tournament was undecided going into the final round, with a four‑way tie possible — until Patrick Cook dropped his queen in a winning position, giving the event to Scott Stewart on 8/9.
Second was Jamie Brotheridge on 7/9, and third was shared by Judd Madden and Patrick Cook.
Results
1. Scott Stewart — 8
2. Jamie Brotheridge — 7
3. Judd Madden — 6
4. Patrick Cook — 6
5. Peter Lumsdon — 5
6. James Eldridge — 4
7. Mitchel Bailey — 4
8. John Frangakis — 3
9. Michael Schreenan — 1
10. Joel Beggs — 1
06-01-2005 – Ballarat Begonia Open
The 39th Ballarat Begonia Open will be held from 12–14 March during the Labour Day long weekend.