To all Ballarat Junior Chess Club students, parents and chess players
The coaching sessions for Term 1 of 2023 will resume this Thursday. The sessions will begin at 5.30pm and finish at 6.45pm. The venue will be the Humffray Room at the BMI, the same as last year. Welcome back to all the returning students and also the 11 new ones who have joined. With 50 students we will again be at full capacity and have a waiting list. Thank you to those who have arranged payment of fees. We request anyone who has not finalised this to now do so.
Rapid Play #1
The first of two weeks of Rapid Play 15m + 5s got off on Australiia Day with an entry of 15 participants. Chris Kolak, originally from Melbourne Chess Club, enjoyed his first night at the club, winning all three games and in first place tied with Paul Dao.
The second week saw Paul steam-roll his way through the games, defeating Chris in the first game of Round 4, and Rob L and Scott followed, giving Paul a picket fence score of 6 out 6. Chris and Bas came equal second on 4.5 / 6.
Blitz #1
Ballarat Chess Club launched our 2023 season with the first event in the Blitz Grand Prix on Thursday night. A respectable entry of 14 players joined the fray, including 2022 Blitz Champion Jamie Brotheridge, several players whom we haven't seen for a while, and new face Brodie Murnane. Top seed was James Watson, just ahead of Scott Stewart, but the surprise winner was 5th seed Club President Patrick Cook with an excellent 6/7 score.
Blitz #2 is scheduled for 13th April.
Chess Coaching 2023
Chess Coaching is available throughout the year. We welcome enrolments at any time from any junior chess player whether they have been part of the program previously or not.
Term Dates:
BMI venue
To all members and chess players
The Humffray Room at the BMI is now in use for all club activities.
In relation to Covid matters, the Government announced that virtually all regulations which have impacted the club and the BMI have changed. The vaccination mandate has been removed along with the QR code check-in requirement. Wearing a face mask is optional as well.
For info re coaching, junior tournaments, study resources etc.. visit the Ballarat Junior Chess Club pages.
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, check out ChessKid.com.
How to write down your games - Chess notation made easy here!
Coffee and Chess
Coffee shop chess has taken a hit during the pandemic. However, there are some chess sets for use at the following cafes... just ask!
Racers on the lake, Frangos and Homeground, both on Sturt.
Chess is also played at Beechworth Bakery and Woowookarung lookout, but you'll need to take your own set.
Bas' Chess Columns
From April 1991 until March 1993, Bas wrote a fortnightly chess column for the Ballarat Courier. Read them here
