Month: December 2024

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The Establishment of the 2nd Ballarat Chess Club in 1865

The Ballarat Star, Saturday 25 February 1865

A CHESS CLUB,
SIR, It is a remarkable fact that although we have in Ballarat clubs and societies of almost every description, we do not possess, and (so far as I am aware) never have possessed a chess club. There are probably four or five hundred chess players in the town, many of whom would be delighted to have the opportunity of enjoying a quiet game; and there are doubtless many others who would gladly learn  it, if facilities offered for their doing so. With a view to test public feeling on the matter it is proposed to hold a meeting to discuss the subject, of which notice is given in your advertising columns. Trusting so on to commence (at the club) as I now end,

I am, sir,

24th February.                    KINGS PAWN TWO MOVES.

The Ballarat Star, Wednesday 1 March 1865

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a chess club was held on Tuesday evening in the Mechanics’ Institute, Mr P. O’Connor in the chair. The formation of such a club was decided upon, and it was resolved that it should also embrace draught playing, and be called the Ballarat Chess and Draught Club. A sub-committee was formed for the purpose of drawing up rules and communicating with the committee of the Institute for the purpose of obtaining a room for the use of the members. The committee will bring up its report on Saturday evening, when a general meeting of the club will be held. Thirty members are already enrolled.

The Ballarat Star, Tuesday 7 March 1865

A general meeting of the Ballarat Chess and Draft Club was held on Saturday, when the rules, as prepared by the sub-committee, were amended and adopted. Mr Daniel O’Conner was elected president, Dr Richardson vice-president, and Mr C.Fisher honorary secretary and treasurer. A committee was then chosen, consisting of Messrs Bolton, Kemp, Marshall, and Pennell. The club will meet every Thursday and Saturday, in one of the classrooms of the Mechanics’ Institute, at 7.30 p.m.

The subscription for members of the Institute is to be 2s 6d per quarter, and non-members 5s, with an entrance fee of 2s 6d. About 35 names have already been handed in.

The Ballarat Star, Friday 10 March 1865

The members of the Ballarat Chess and Draught Club met on Thursday evening, in the Hall of the Mechanics’ Institute, and played a number of games. The club has already nearly forty members enrolled, and that number bids fair to be speedily increased.

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The Ballarat Handicap Chess Tournament 1866-‘67

As far as I know, this is one of the first chess tournament held in Australia, albeit restricted to players from Ballarat. It probably was the longest ever played, lasting over a period of no less than 8 months (i.e. September 1866-April 1867), and ending in a beautifully reported controversy.    

Amongst the players was the winner Charles M. Fisher, one of the strongest players in the ‘colony’ of Victoria. A database of 47 of his games can be found on the internet: https://www.chessgames.com/player/charles_marshall_fisher.html. They are amongst the oldest recorded games of Australia.

The old newspaper reports include beautiful and flowery descriptions of the chess-scene in Ballarat, more than 150 years ago.

Bas van Riel

“The Ballarat Star”  dated 17 Sept 1866

The chess tournament has at length been finally arranged, under the most favorable auspices, and it has been decided by the committee that play shall commence on the evening of Tuesday, 11th September, at the Mechanics’ Institute. Fourteen days will be allowed for the first set of matches to be played off, and it is hoped members will not exceed that time, as by doing so the tournament will be protracted and the other competitors will be delayed from commencing the second series of matches. It has been arranged for the winners in the first set to play for the first, second and third prizes.
The committee, with the view of equalizing the play, has taken great pains to discover the relative strength of the respective players, so that neither should have any undue advantage, and has accordingly divided them into four classes- the first class giving the second a pawn and move, the third a pawn and two moves, and the fourth class a knight.

The following is the list of entries, together with their classification:-

First Class – Messrs J.M.Connell, C.Fisher, and A.G.M’Combe.

Second Class – Messrs W.H.Batten, R.Bristow, H.Deveril, T.W.Gaggin, J.A.Harvey, W.Hogarth, R.S.Mitchell, A.Mongredien, D.O’Connor, J.B.Partridge, F.W.Tatham, and C.M.Watson

Third Class – Messrs Davey, Kennedy, H.M.Pascoe and J.Taylor

Fourth Class – Messrs J.Campbell, J.P.Fennings, G.Fisher, J.Holdes, and J.A.Wilson.

The players have been paired as follows by lot:-

Batten – Holdes 0-1
Bristow-Gaggin
Campbell-M’Combe
Connell-Taylor 1-0
Davey-Partridge 1-0
Deveril-O’Connor 1-0

Fennings-Hogarth
C.Fisher-Pascoe
G.Fisher-Harvey 0-1
Kennedy-Mitchell
Mongredien-Tatham 0.5-0.5
Watson-Wilson 0.5-0.5

“The Ballarat Star” dated 25th September 1866.

The chess tournament, since its commencement has progressed favorably, and the chess-room is almost every evening crowded with players. Already no less than nine games have been played off, and more would probably have been concluded were it not that many of the competitors refrain from playing to the last moment, in order to make themselves proficient in the openings. The following is the list of the games already finished:-  (see Part 1, BvR).

We give in detail the game played by Messrs O’Connor (white) and Deveril (black):-
(The comments in the game about some moves were actually made by the original reporter in 1866! BvR)

The Star offices on Sturt St. Ballarat

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The 34th Begonia Open Tournament, 2000

Report by Bas van Riel

The traditional and unique Ballarat Begonia Open Chess Tournament was this year’s first Grand Prix (Class 3) event in Victoria. Organising successful tournaments without making a financial loss has been very difficult in Victoria for the last few years. One may argue about the reasons for this. After a disappointing entry level in 1998, the tournament organisers were extremely lucky to secure substantial sponsorships last year, which undoubtedly increased the players’ interest. Having missed out on extra funds this year, the committee didn’t know what to expect. However, it turned out that it didn’t have to worry, as 90 players turned up, exactly the same number as last year.

The number of top players, headed by DARRYL JOHANSEN, was fairly small, but the record entry of juniors (18) was very pleasing. Worth mentioning is the group of players who seem to return to Ballarat year in, year out, many of them pensioners. This special composition of the tournament creates a unique atmosphere with a group which takes chess seriously, trying to win (prizes), a large group of ‘social’ players and thirdly the group of juniors with all their distractions and variable interests (not only in chess!). An interesting mix of chess players blended in one single Ballarat tournament.

To make all this happen each year again, is mainly due to the untiring efforts of Kevin Perrin (DOP). Mind you, he has been involved as the main organiser since the inception of the tournament.

The great support in different ways by players, clubs, VCA and ChessWorld is invaluable for the success of our tournament, and it is greatly appreciated by the committee. Visits by chess personalities such as Robert Jamieson, Guy West, Gary Wastell, David Flude etc., certainly add flavour and moral support to the event.

As far as I am aware the tournament went flawlessly, apart from a brief failure of a group of lights during one of the evening rounds: a minor hiccup compared to last year’s commotion when the arbiter was stuck in the elevator for more than an hour!

The social aspects of the event were improved by a sausage sizzle lunch; the Craigs Hotel offering meals and drink discounts, making it a focal meeting point for all between the rounds; and also by the drinks-and-nibbles provided after the final round up to the prize-giving ceremony.

In the top group GEORGE PRATSCH (1752, =newcomer?) had a good tournament, helped by a good draw. He finished with 5.5 points on equal 4th spot. STEWART BOOTH started with a strategic draw in the first round and this carried him safely through the next few rounds, thereby building up valuable match practice before meeting the bigger guns in the crucial last rounds. The B-group was jointly won by JANOS NEMETH who scored very well against four much higher rated players, and good old OLGERTS BERGMANIS with 5 points each. I would not be surprised to find that Olgerts and his friend GUNNAR LAMBERTS have played in virtually all (34) Ballarat Begonia Open tournaments.

The C-group was won equally by two juniors with 5 points each: AMIR NISSEN (Vic) and AARON GUTHRIE (SA). Amir drew with STEWART BOOTH, won against KEN HOLT and being the 51st seed, the average seeding of his opponents was 19! Similarly, Aaron being seeded 67 met with opponents averaging 29 and he polished off his effort with a win against DAVID CORDOVER (10) in the last round.

Group D was jointly won (3.5 points) by ERIC LINDBERG who squeezed three wins out of his last three opponents, and COLIN FINLAY from NSW, who played a solid tournament.

A brief note by Gary Bekker:

The event was won by MIRKO RUJEVIC with 6.5 / 7 points. Equal second were GM DARRYL JOHANSEN, who lost to RUJEVIC in round 5, and MARK CHAPMAN who drew with IM LEONID SANDLER and agreed a quick draw with Rujevic in the final round. Chapman did not have to play against Johansen, while Sandler finished outside of the prize list after a draw with Chapman, losing to Rujevic and then to Johansen in the final round. Leading final scores: M. RUJEVIC 6.5; D. JOHANSEN, M. CHAPMAN 6.0; S. BOOTH, S. LOW, J. PRATSCH 5.5; G. SZUVEGES, J. NEMETH, G. GILL, M. BARON, M. LOJANICA, O. BERGMANIS, D. PARTSI, A. NISSEN, A. GUTHRIE 5.0.

Many thanks to all involved in the tournament, especially to BAS VAN RIEL, KEVIN PERRIN and PATRICK COOK for organising the event and collecting duplicate scoresheets for publication.

Download the pgn game file here, containing 47 games from the tournament.

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A.V.Smith photography studio circa 1860

Written on mount below photograph: Stepn₋ Cess[?]an & Bright / a playing of chess.

Printed on verso: A.V. Smith. Photographic Artist, Bridge Strt. Ballarat

Studio portrait of two men playing a game of chess, whole-length, both with full beards, wearing loose jackets buttoned at neck, facing each other across a small table. Game is a studio prop and not a serious game.

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Courier sponsors the Australian Open Ballarat 1984


Australian Open in Ballarat, 1984/85

Over the New Year of 1984 to 1985 the Ballarat Chess Club successfully hosted the 16-day Australian Open Chess Tournament. For a small country club that was quite an achievement and we have gathered some of the newspaper articles, games, photos and commentary from that time to commemorate the event.

In this photo The Courier manager Doug Cowies, the tournament’s main sponsor, shakes hands with Rod Jacobs, the then Treasurer, as Secretary Kevin Perrin looks on with fellow club official Frank Anderson.

The total prize fund of $5000 was a lot of money back in the day!

 

A young Kevin Perrin observes play between Stephen Soloman and Eddy Levi. Steven Solomon won the Begonia Open earlier in that year, and 6 more times to the date of writing in 2024.

 

Guy West went on to win the tournament with a score of 10.5 out of 13 points.

 

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The Perrin Era 1964 – current

The Kevin Perrin Era

In the mid-1960’s, a fresh group of energetic chess enthusiasts, led by new President Andy Miitel, reconstituted the Ballarat Chess Club, and separated it from the Mechanics Institute,  although they later returned in later years.
The founding meeting of the current Ballarat Chess Club occurred on Oct 1st 1964. It was held in the home of the first president, life-member Andy Miitel. For several years, Andy’s house was the venue where the weekly club evenings were held, for which he received the princely sum of £4  for the wood, needed for heating.
Following are the minutes of the first meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club in 1964, marking the revitalization of the club and the start of a new chapter of the Chess Club, the Kevin Perrin Era.
Notable amongst those present at this meeting were S.Jacobs, the father of Rod Jacobs (a recent life member of the club). Rod joined the club in 1967. Don Maciulaitis left Ballarat for Melbourne two years later, to become one of the stalwarts of the Melbourne chess scene, mostly as an administrator.

Minutes of General Meeting held at 7 Urquhart Street, Ballarat on 1st October, 1964.

Present were:

J. Brown, A. Cimera, C. Crompton, J. Cook, L. Gunn, J. Holmes, S.Jacobs, D. Lee, A.Miitel, D.Maciulaitis, A. McPherson, A.Solomon, I. Sharp, Mrs. L.Taube, G.Williams, C. Holmes.
Mr. Miitel was chosen as chairman and the meeting proceeded under his direction.

The following office-bearers were elected:

President- A. Miitel

Vice President- J. Cook

Secretary- J. Holmes

Assistant Secretary- C.Crompton

Treasurer- D.Maciulaitis.

Election of Captain and Vice Captain was deferred to the next general meeting.

A set of rules were drawn up and adopted by the members as the official rules of the club. These were to be typed and displayed on a notice board together with a list of the club’s office-bearers. Mr Maciulaitis to attend.
Now that the club was established with elected office bearers and a set of rules, the representatives of the old club, Messrs. Gunn, Cook and Crompton, officially handed over the assets of that of that club. These included 6 Chess sets, 6 boards, 3 clocks and a number of chess books. Mr Cook promised to bring a cupboard to store these items. Bank balance of £11.1.-. and cash £1/9/9  was also handed over.

It was decided that the name of the club should remain “The Ballarat Chess Club” and would in actual fact be a continuation of the old club which had gone into recess in 1962.

The president, Mr. Miitel, thanked the officials of the old club for the Chess sets etc., and said that they would be a great start to the young club. Mr. Gunn replied that he was very pleased to see a Chess Club in existence again in Ballarat and wished it every success. Mr. Cook and Mr. Crompton endorsed his comments.

It was decided that the annual subscription was to be 5/- per adult member and 2/- per junior member. A playing fee of 2/- per adult member per night was to be paid to the treasurer to the Treasurer.
Members who were attending schools were to be exempt from this fee.
Every member was asked to enquire of a room suitable for use as a club room and a decision to rent one was deferred to a later meeting. In the meantime Mr. Miitel offered his home for use as a club-room. In a vote of thanks, Mr. Cook proposed that the club pay Mr. Miitel £4 to pay for wood used during club nights. This was accepted.

It was decided that meetings of the club were to be held on Thursday nights.

It was decided to purchase a quantity of score-books and score-sheets together with one dozen CHESS MADE EASY booklets to encourage learners. Mr. Cook said he would attend.

It was decided that advertisements where to be placed in the Ballarat Courier to attract more members. Mr. J. Holmes to attend.

It was decided to have the clocks overhauled as they have been inactive for quite a time. Mr.Maciulaitis to attend.
As there was no other business, the meeting was closed and the date of the next general meeting was fixed at the 1st Thursday of March 1965.

The Ballarat Club Championship was instituted in 1966 and won by Andy Miitel (the Championship Shield is now named after him). This Championship has been played annually ever since and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. Remarkably, one player, Kevin Perrin, has competed in all 50 tournaments, winning a total of seven (to date). The Club acknowledged this extraordinary achievement with the presentation of a special medallion to Kevin in 2016.
The Club’s new committee was very active, organising events in the Victorian Rural Chess League (which still arranges the Victorian Country Chess Championship), inter-club challenge matches against other Victorian country clubs, telephone matches, school competitions, as well as Club tournaments.
The decision was also made to organise a new weekend tournament over the Victorian Labour Day long weekend in March, to coincide with the Ballarat Begonia Festival. And so, the Ballarat Begonia Tournament was born.

Club Meeting held 19th Nov 1964.

Members present: Andy Miitel, John Ooi, Frank Brown, Arthur Solomon, Don Macuilaitis, John Holmes.
It was decided that one more advertisement would be placed in the paper before Christmas. After Christmas a concentrated effort would be made to attract members.
No reply yet from the Castlemaine Club.
J.Holmes, Secretary.

4/2/1965. Meeting

12 members present, incl Rodney Jacobs. A lightning tournament was held for the evening, this being won by Andy Miitel.

11/2/1965. Meeting

13 members present. First evening of Swiss tournament

1982 Begonia: Courier Article

Ballarat Chess – 1991-’93. Chess column by Bas van Riel in The Ballarat Courier

From April 1991 until March 1993, Bas wrote a fortnightly chess column for the Ballarat Courier. It was a reflection of the many aspects of chess, which fascinated him during that period. Because he was deeply involved in the local chess scene, his reports invariably included the activities of the Ballarat Chess club on a regular basis. In its totality, his contributions present a detailed historical snapshot of the Club in those years. Included are reports of the Begonia Tournaments, the Country Victoria Championships and the Ballarat Club Championships, Interclub competitions, school-chess, and about the people involved.

Bas has kept all the newspaper clippings throughout the years, and he has now scanned them with the main focus on local content. The scans combined are now part of the History project of the Ballarat Chess Club (in progress).

Article 1: 30/4/91

Article 2: 21/5/91


Article 3: 4/6/91

More scanned articles on pdf – Click to open PDF

Even more scanned articles on pdf – click to open PDF

Still even more scanned articles on pdf – click to read