Country Chess Championship 2021

Geelong Chess Club once again hosted the Victorian Country Chess Championships on the weekend of 27/28th November 2021, a little later in the year than normal due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns. Once again, the tournament was kindly sponsored by Geelong Short Stays.
Top seed was FM Christopher Wallis, making his first appearance in the event. Christopher is a previous winner of the strong and prestigious Ballarat “Begonia” Open, and curiously is the reigning Victorian State Champion, having won in 2019 and no State Championship having been played since!
All up, 29 players entered, including 9 from Ballarat Chess Club led by 2021 Ballarat Champion Ruari Coffey who was 3rd seed. Also playing was VRCL Secretary, and 2nd seed, Nigel Barrow from Bendigo who won the event in 2011 and 2015, and Russell Murray, 4th seed and winner in 2010.
As usual, the tournament was friendly and relaxed with plenty of lively chess played. As expected, Christopher Wallis won with an imposing score of 6/6, with Ruari Coffey 2nd on 5/6, and Nigel Barrow, Rifky Althaf from Bendigo, Reza Daneshvar from Geelong, and talented youngster Paul Dao from Ballarat on 4/6. Amusingly, Khosrou Ghafouri, from Portland and 2015 winner, went through the event with 6 draws!
The Reserves title deservedly went to Paul Dao, with Paul Brown from Geelong a half point behind, and 3rd prize going to 2 more Ballarat juniors, Leonard and Justin Goodison, and Serge Corbeil from Geelong.