21-12-2006 – Chess is over for 2006

The time has come to say goodbye to chess for 2006. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. To all those chess addicts of Ballarat — never fear, because chess will be back on the 25th of January next year with a lightning tournament. See you all then.

22-09-2006 – King Cook Blitzkrieg

The lightning tournament saw 8 players contest another round robin of chess mayhem. After a close race, Patrick Cook won his 3rd lightning tournament for the year, securing the 2006 Lightning Championship. Stephen Symons finished 2nd, followed by strong play from Joel Beggs to take 3rd place.

Jamie Brotheridge had a quieter night by his standards and finished 4th. Tim Commons, Michael Schreenan and Rob Loveband shared 5th, 6th and 7th on 2 points, while James Eldridge unfortunately finished without a score.

2006 Lightning #4 – Results

1. Patrick Cook — 7
2. Stephen Symons — 6
3. Joel Beggs — 5
4. Jamie Brotheridge — 4
5. Tim Commons — 2
6. Michael Schreenan — 2
7. Rob Loveband — 2
8. James Eldridge — 0

15-09-2006 – Blitz, Allegro and Ratings

Because of the extension of the Club Championship, the rapid play and simul were postponed or cancelled in order to return to the club schedule. What followed was the third lightning tournament (5 minutes) and the second allegro (45 minutes).

Jamie Brotheridge, proving that study does pay off, made it a double tournament victory — first with the 5‑minute lightning, then the 45‑minute allegro. He is becoming a prominent antagonist to “King Cook”.

September ratings are also in! Most notable changes are those of Rob Loveband (1470) and Simon Feros (1426), both new to the club this year.

Next week on the schedule is another lightning tournament, followed by the last of the big three tournaments on the Ballarat Chess Club calendar — the John Holmes Memorial.

2006 Lightning #3 – Results

1. Jamie Brotheridge — 8
2. Patrick Cook — 6
3. Peter Miitel — 6
4. Scott Stewart — 5½
5. Rob Loveband — 5
6. Joel Beggs — 5
7. Tim Commons — 4
8. Michael Schreenan — 2½
9. Rob Bailey — 2
10. Anthony Reynolds — 1

2006 Allegro #2 – Results

1. Jamie Brotheridge — 6
2. Patrick Cook — 4
3. Scott Stewart — 3
4. Tim Commons — 3
5. Rob Bailey — 2½
6. Rob Loveband — 2½
7. Joel Beggs — 2½
8. James Eldridge — 1½
9. Michael Schreenan — 1

20-08-2006 – 2006 Club Championship Concludes

The 41st Ballarat Club Championship is over. This year's winner, successfully defending his title from last year, is Patrick Cook.

The reserves championship goes to the up‑and‑coming Rob Loveband.

Congratulations to Patrick and Rob, and many thanks to all who competed in a close and hard‑fought tournament. Read more

03-08-2006 – Club Championship concludes

Patrick's march to the 2006 Championship continues unabated, and now the only obstacle between him and the title is James Eldridge. James is a formidable opponent, so this game will be a fitting conclusion to a very interesting tournament. Read more

16-07-2006 – Club Championship continues…

Interesting results across many boards… notably Patrick’s attempt to once again ride the victory horse is aided by John Frangakis, who has proved himself to be a dangerous opponent throughout this tournament.

04-05-2006 – 2006 Club Championship Begins

The club extends an invitation to all chess players to participate in our club championship, which is an ACF‑rated event and is keenly fought in both the A and B grades every year.

22-04-2006 – Rapid Play #1

13 players entered this 6‑round Swiss played over two nights (13th & 20th April). A time control of 20 minutes per player allowed three games per night.

Jamie Brotheridge led with 3/3 after the first half, ahead of a group of players on 2/3, but collapsed in the second half, losing to Peter Miitel and Patrick Cook in successive games.

Tim Commons continued his good form from the Allegro tournament to be in equal 1st place with Patrick going into the last round, but was ruthlessly crushed by the club champion, who thus won his sixth consecutive club event since the 2005 Holmes Memorial.

Results

1. Patrick Cook — 5
2. Jamie Brotheridge — 4
3. Tim Commons — 4
4. Peter Miitel — 4
5. Joel Beggs — 3
6. Rob Loveband — 3
7. Darren Young — 3
8. Michael Schreenan — 3
9. Rob Bailey — 2½
10. Anthony Reynolds — 2½
11. Jason Brotheridge — 2
12. John Abson — 2
13. John Frangakis — 1

06-04-2006 – Lightning #2: King Cook marches on

The lightning tournament was contested by 13 players in an 8‑round Swiss. The action heated up within the first few rounds, as is usual in this format.

It was great to see everyone having fun and enjoying the spirit of lightning chess — a format foreign to many, but one that leaves smiles all around as crazy positions and mating attacks appear, only to be defeated by the clock!

Patrick Cook emerged from the smoke victorious.

Results

1. Patrick Cook — 7½
2. Peter Miitel — 6½
3. Jamie Brotheridge — 6
4. Tim Commons — 5½
5. Joel Beggs — 5
6. Michael Schreenan — 5
7. Simon Feros — 5
8. Rob Loveband — 4½
9. Anthony Reynolds — 3
10. Darren Young — 3
11. Robert Bailey — 2½
12. James Eldridge — 1½
13. John Abson — 1

30-03-2006 – Allegro #1 Concludes

14 players entered the first Allegro tournament for the year. With a time control of 45 minutes per player, a lively and competitive event of two rounds per night was played.

Upset results came thick and fast. As early as round 1, club newcomer Rob Loveband bowled over the highly ranked Jamie Brotheridge, and Rob Bailey overcame two‑time club champion Peter Miitel. In round 2, James Eldridge surprised the strong and ambitious Joel Beggs.

After just three rounds, only club champion Patrick Cook and, surprisingly, James Eldridge had perfect scores. They met in round 4, where Patrick won in his usual quietly smooth style to be sole leader by the end of the second night.

The bloodshed continued the following week when Rob Loveband went down in his first encounter with the club champion, and Tim Commons emerged from the chasing pack with another upset win over Jamie Brotheridge.

Going into the last round, Patrick had already won the tournament and was looking forward to a convincing 6/6, but was finally stopped by a resurgent Jamie Brotheridge — Patrick’s first loss at the club since September 2005! In the battle for minor placings, Tim Commons continued his amazing hot streak to beat James Eldridge and register his best ever result at the club. James still managed to finish 3rd, leaving a band of players behind them on 3½.

All in all, an enjoyable way to wind down after the exertions of the recent 40th Begonia Open.

Results

1. Patrick Cook — 5
2. Tim Commons — 4½
3. James Eldridge — 4
4. Jamie Brotheridge — 3½
5. Rob Loveband — 3½
6. Joel Beggs — 3½
7. Peter Miitel — 3½
8. Simon Feros — 3½
9. Rob Bailey — 3
10. John Frangakis — 2½
11. Darren Young — 2½
12. Michael Schreenan — 2
13. Anthony Reynolds — 1
14. John Abson — 0

11-03-2006 – 40th Ballarat Begonia Open Chess Tournament

Ballarat Chess Club hosted the 40th Ballarat Begonia Open over the Labour Day long weekend (11 March 2006 – 13 March 2006). This tournament promised to be the biggest and best Begonia Open yet. Entry Form

The time has come. The Commonwealth Games baton passed through Ballarat only a few days ago, and now it is time for the biggest event in Ballarat for 2006: the Begonia Open chess tournament. We wish all competitors a fantastic weekend of chess — have fun and good luck to all.

Smerdon defeated by Johansen in pivotal game

Congratulations to the three winners of the tournament, which was keenly contested by over 110 players. The result was in doubt even during the last round of competition.

09-03-2006 – Spielvogel Memorial concludes…

Final round of the 2006 Spielvogel Memorial tournament, and Jamie Brotheridge certainly had his thinking cap on, looking good for his first win of the year. The winners are… Patrick Cook and Jamie Brotheridge. Congratulations to both players — may your winning form carry into the Begonia tournament this weekend. Read more

26-01-2006 – Spielvogel Memorial begins

The Spielvogel Memorial is a 7‑round Swiss, 90 minutes per side + 30 seconds per move. All games are submitted for ACF grading. This tournament is a great way to get primed and ready for the all‑important Begonia Open in March. Everyone is welcome — good luck to all.

A very interesting start to the standard chess year in Ballarat. Most notable was John Abson’s defeat of Robert Bailey. Well done John! Everyone beware — this may be his year. Read more

20-01-2006 – Chess is back for 2006

Once again the Ballarat Chess Club opened for business on Thursday nights, starting with the first of five events in the 2006 Ballarat Chess Club Lightning Championship.

2006 Lightning #1 – Round Robin (5 minutes per side)
The lightning tournament was contested between 9 players in a 9‑round round robin. The action heated up within the first few rounds, with pieces being knocked over in true skittles style.

After a close race, the clear winner going into the final round was Patrick Cook on 6½, with a lead of 1½, culminating in a total score of 7½ after the final round. Patrick was the escape artist of the night, swindling many points out of lost positions.

In second place was blitz enthusiast Jamie Brotheridge with 6, followed by Joel Beggs in third with 5. The next lightning event was scheduled for 6 April.

Results

1. Patrick Cook — 7½
2. Jamie Brotheridge — 6
3. Joel Beggs — 5
4. Peter Miitel — 4½
5. Michael Schreenan — 4
6. James Eldridge — 3½
7. Robert Bailey — 3½
8. Darren Young — 2
9. Anthony Reynolds — 0

16-01-2006 – Chess in 2006

Welcome to 2006 — Happy New Year! The 2006 Programme is out, and competition and social activities resume this Thursday night (19‑01‑2006).

A special welcome back to Ballarat to a valued member of the club — Scott Stewart. Good luck to everyone for a safe, happy and successful year.