News

2025 Club Championship Results Announced!

We are thrilled to congratulate our 2025 Club Champion, Ethan Chang! Ethan clinched the title by a tie-break over Terrence Tang, repeating the incredible feat that Matthew Bennett accomplished back in 2021. Well done, Ethan!

A huge shout-out to all our division winners and outstanding players across the series of tournaments:

Tournament 1
Championship Division: Terrence Tang
Candidates Division: Ethan Chang
Best Junior: Ethan Chang

Tournament 2
Division A: Andrew He
Division B: Will Wenderoth (by tie-break)
Best Junior: Will Wenderoth

Tournament 3
Division C: Jonathan Ong (by tie-break)
Division D: Paul Pilowsky (by tie-break, BH-Cut1)
Division E: Max Liu
Best Junior: Jonathan Ong

Tournament 4
Winner: Daniel Goldstein (by tie-break, BH-Cut1)
Best Junior: Dhwani Gupta

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this tournament a success. Your enthusiasm and commitment are what drive our club forward.

We hope to see you at the upcoming Blitz and Rapid events. For full tournament results, please visit www.northsydneychess.org/club-championship.

We appreciate your ongoing support and participation.
 

A Future Grandmaster in the Making!

A special moment captured at the Prague Open 2025! 10-year-old Reyaansh Chakrabarty, the rising Australian chess star, stands alongside R Praggnanandhaa (L) and Aravind Chithambaram (R), two of the world’s brightest chess talents!

Reyaansh had an incredible tournament, gaining 60 Elo points and pushing his rating to 2241 at just 10 years old! This young prodigy is making waves, and his journey is just beginning.

A big thank you to Sounak Chakraborty for sharing this fantastic photo with Norths Chess Club!

Watch Reyaansh’s ChessBase India interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CJ8dzQjmj8

The future of Australian chess is looking bright!

• Books will be on display next week for browsing. A request list will be available for members only.
• Maximum 3 books per person to ensure fair distribution.
• Multiple requests? We’ve drawn lots to decide who gets them!

• Be part of a stylish audience watching a live chess match.
• Help guide the game (we need some real chess knowledge on set!).
• Showcase your individuality—we’re looking for people of all ages (15-80), backgrounds, and unique looks.
• Fashion meets chess—we may provide some wardrobe pieces, but your personal style is welcome too!

Announcing the 2025 Norths NSW State Championship – An IM Norm Event!

Norths Chess Club is proud to present the 2025 Norths NSW State Championship, an exclusive 10-player round-robin tournament, offering players a shot at an IM Norm!

When: 9 rounds, commencing Tuesday, 3rd June 2025
Where: Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray

Prize Pool: Over $3,400 in prizes.
1st Place: $2,000
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $400
4th Place: $300

Field Strength:
No player rated under 2050
Average player rating over 2230

Chief Arbiter: Rob Watson

This historic tournament marks Sydney’s first round-robin IM Norm event since 2011. Don’t miss it as top players battle for glory, prizes, and recognition.

Stay tuned for more updates!

(Photos by Linden Fennamore)









(Photos by Linden Fennamore)

2025 Norths Chess Club Championships

Get ready for one of the most anticipated events on the Norths Chess Club calendar—the 2025 Club Championships! Whether you’re aiming for the title of Club Champion or looking to challenge yourself in one of our divisions, this is your chance to compete in an exciting, FIDE and ACF-rated tournament.

Event Details:
Dates: Tuesdays, 4 February – 8 April 2025 (with a spare week for venue unavailability)
Start Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray
Entries Close: Friday, 31 January 2025.

Before the championships kick off, don’t miss the Club Championship Blitz on 28 January to warm up for the main event!

Tournament Format:
The championships consist of four tournaments, each with multiple divisions:
• Tournament 1: Championship and Candidates (10-player divisions). 2025 Club Champion Trophy awarded to the winner.
• Tournament 2: Reserves A and Reserves B (12-player divisions). Trophies are awarded to the winners of each division.
• Tournament 3: Reserves C, D, and E (12-player divisions). Trophies are awarded to the winners of each division.
• Tournament 4: Reserves F (for all remaining players). Trophy awarded to the winner.

Eligibility and Prizes:
• Players are assigned to divisions based on their ACF Classic or FIDE Standard ratings.
• Winners of each division earn the right to compete in the next higher division in 2026.
• Trophies will also be awarded to the best junior (under 18) in each tournament.

Time Controls:
• Tournaments 1-3: 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move from move 1.
• Tournament 4: 60 minutes + 30-second increment per move from move 1.

Entry Requirements:
• Open to current financial members of Norths Chess Club.
• Entry Fee: $15 (Free for GMs, WGMs, IMs, and WIMs).
• Players who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents must have a FIDE ID.
• Entries Close: Friday, 31 January 2025.

Join us for an exciting chess season and see if you have what it takes to claim the 2025 Club Championship title!

2025 Club Blitz Championship

Get ready for one of the most exciting nights on the chess calendar—the 2025 Club Blitz Championship! This prestigious event is one of our two major blitz tournaments of the year, alongside the Purdy Blitz, and is played the week prior to the long-form 2025 Club Championship.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 28th January 2025
Location: Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray
Start Time: 7:30 PM

About Our Blitz Tournaments:
• Our blitz events are FIDE rated.
• Players who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents must have a FIDE ID (available through your national federation at www.fide.com).
• Adult players must be members of or have paid a Registered Player Fee to the NSWCA. Juniors (under 18) must be members of the NSWJCL.

Register Now:
To secure your spot, visit https://www.cognitoforms.com/NorthSydneyChessClub/membership

This is your chance to test your skills in a fast-paced, competitive format, connect with fellow chess enthusiasts, and warm up for the upcoming 2025 Club Championship. For more information on past events and detailed results, visit https://www.northsydneychess.org/blitzes. Let’s make this another unforgettable night of chess!

Reminder: Take on Our Champion – Simultaneous Exhibition with FM Bibek Thing!

Don’t forget, this Tuesday night, we’re kicking off 2025 with our first official club event of the year! Join us for an exciting Simultaneous Exhibition with our 2024 Club Champion, FIDE Master Bibek Thing.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 21st January 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray

This is your chance to challenge one of the top players in the region:

• First Nepali to achieve the FIDE Master title, surpassing 2300.
• #1 FIDE-ranked player in Nepal for seven years.
• Represented Nepal at the 44th Chess Olympiad.

Entry: Free for members, but spots are capped at 20 players. Arrive early to secure your place!

Simul Rules:

• Players must make moves promptly when Bibek reaches their board.
• No clocks, but moves should not be delayed.
• Players must wait for Bibek to arrive before playing their move.
• Resignations can be made when Bibek arrives at your board.

This is the perfect way to start the new year and warm up for the 2025 Club Championship, beginning the following week. Whether you’re playing or spectating, don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to enjoy a night of great chess!

We’ll see you there!

Congratulations to Reyaansh Chakrabarty – Junior Player of the Year!

We’re thrilled to congratulate Reyaansh Chakrabarty on winning the prestigious Arlauskas Medal for 2024, awarded to the Junior Player of the Year!

This is a fantastic achievement, and it’s an honour to see Reyaansh’s name join the list of previous winners, including notable players like GM Bobby Cheng, GM Anton Smirnov, WFM Kristine Quek, and IM Cameron McGowan—three of whom have been proud members of Norths Chess Club.

Reyaansh, your dedication and talent continue to inspire our community. We’re so proud of your success and look forward to seeing what you’ll achieve next.

Congratulations once again from all of us at Norths Chess Club!

Norths Chess Club in 2025

What a year 2024 has been! We’ve celebrated some incredible chess moments, with old champions retaining their titles and new ones emerging. Now, we’re gearing up for another exciting year of tournaments for players of all levels.

Here’s what’s coming up to start 2025:
• Social Chess Nights: 6th and 14th January
• Simultaneous Exhibition: Club Champion Bibek Thing takes on all challengers on 21st January
• Club Blitz Championship: 28th January
• Club Championship: Kicks off on 4th February

The rest of the year will feature all your favourites, including the Rapid, Allegro, Purdy Memorial, Winter Classic, Seniors, Blitz tournaments, and our battles against St George and Harbord.

Memberships and Entries Now Open
2025 membership and entry for the Club Championship are now open!
Details for the Club Championship: www.northsydneychess.org/club-championship
Membership and entry form: www.northsydneychess.org/membership

Wishing all our members a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 filled with good chess and great community!

Take on Our Champion – Simultaneous Exhibition with FM Bibek Thing!

We’re kicking off 2025 in style with our first official club event of the year! Join us for a special Simultaneous Exhibition with our 2024 Club Champion, FIDE Master Bibek Thing, on Tuesday, 21st January 2025, at 7:30 pm.

About FM Bibek Thing:
• The first Nepali to achieve the FIDE Master title, surpassing the 2300 rating.
• Holds the #1 FIDE ranking in Nepal for the past seven years.
• Represented Nepal internationally, including at the 44th Chess Olympiad.
• Supported by Norths Chess Club and Sydney Academy of Chess in his inspirational journey.

Bibek’s hard work and dedication have made him a standout player, and this is your chance to challenge him over the board in a simultaneous exhibition.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 21st January 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray
Format: Bibek will take on multiple players simultaneously.
Entry: This event is free for members but is capped at 20 players, so arrive early to secure your spot!

Simultaneous Rules:
• Players must make their moves promptly when Bibek arrives at their board.
• No clocks will be used, but moves should be made without unnecessary delay.
• Bibek will move through the boards in sequence; players must wait for him to arrive before playing their move.
• Players can resign when Bibek reaches their board.

This exciting event is the perfect way to start the new year and warm up for the 2025 Club Championship, which begins the following week. Whether you’re playing or watching, don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn and enjoy a night of great chess!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thematic Blitz Wrap-Up 🎄

What a fun night we had at the Thematic Blitz! The theme was “Countries of the World”, featuring openings from Scotland, Italy, Holland, France, and Spain. It was the perfect mix of learning, laughs, and friendly competition to wrap up the year.

A huge shoutout to Alexis Vargas Arteaga, who crushed it with a perfect 5/5 score to win the night and take home the $80 Westfield gift card. Well played!

Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun, 25 players made it a fantastic way to finish off 2024.

We wish all our members a happy holiday season and a great start to 2025. Don’t forget, we’re kicking off the new year with our Simultaneous Exhibition on Tuesday, 21st January, where FM Bibek Thing will take on all challengers. Mark it in your calendars!

See you back at the boards in the new year!

Recognising David Stern – The Heart of Norths Chess Club

David Stern has been a cornerstone of Norths Chess Club for many years, serving as a Committee Member, Life Member, and, most notably, our Webmaster. His contributions have grown far beyond his original role, making him an indispensable part of the club.

Innovator and Leader:
• Rebuilt the club website from the ground up, ensuring it remains a vital resource for members.
• Created and manages the club’s database, tournament entries, and results, streamlining processes for players and organisers alike.
• Developed our online club during the COVID shutdown, keeping members connected and active during challenging times.

A True Club Advocate:
David is deeply passionate about the values and vision of Norths Chess Club. He constantly encourages the committee and members to uphold these ideals, fostering a sense of community and excellence. He is what they call in the advertising business, a trusted brand ambassador—representing everything Norths Chess Club stands for with integrity and enthusiasm.

Respected and Trusted:
Known as the “glue that holds the club together,” David is the go-to person for members seeking advice, support, or solutions. The number of members who’ve nominated him for Life Membership speaks volumes about the respect and admiration he’s earned.

Thank you, David, for your tireless dedication and outstanding contributions to Norths Chess Club. We are truly fortunate to have you as part of our community.

Congratulations to Our 2024 Norths Chess Club Champions!

As we wrap up the year, we’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our members across various tournaments in 2024. A huge congratulations to all our winners—your hard work and dedication have truly shone this year!

Club Champion: Bibek Thing
Candidates: Ian Stalker
Reserves Champions:

• Reserves A: Christopher Ball
• Reserves B: Paul Glissan
• Reserves C: Linden Fennamore
• Reserves D: Josh Liu
• Reserves E: Linda Qian

Tournament 5: Aiden Maleki
Blitz Champion: Francisco Plaza-Quinteros
Rapid Champion: Reyaansh Chakrabarty
Ford/Greenwood Seniors: Paul Glissan
Winter Classic: Ian Welch
Classic Minor: Jonathan Sua
Purdy Memorial: Greg Canfell
Purdy Minor: Clara Zhou

Each of you has made this a memorable year for Norths Chess Club. We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store!

Summer Blitz Wrap-Up: A Night of Speed and Strategy!

What a fantastic night at the Norths Chess Club Summer Blitz! Held on Monday, 10 December, the event saw a strong turnout and plenty of exciting games across the seven rounds.

Congratulations to Bibek Thing, who emerged as the champion with an impressive 6/7 score. His consistent performance under pressure secured him the top spot!

Alexis Vargas Arteaga also scored 6/7, finishing a close second after tiebreaks, showcasing brilliant tactical play throughout the night.

Reyaansh Chakrabarty and Cameron McGowan shared third place with 5.5/7, both delivering solid games and proving why they’re among the strongest players at the club.

Honourable mentions go to:
• Josh Liu and Ian Stalker, both scoring 5/7 with excellent efforts in their games.
• David Marsh, Leron Kwong, Alexi Pavlidis, and Ian Welch, rounding out the top 10 with strong performances in this fast-paced format.

The night was filled with dynamic openings, clever tactics, and thrilling endgames, making it the perfect way to close out the year’s blitz tournaments.

Thank you to all participants for making this such an enjoyable and competitive event. Here’s to more incredible chess in the new year!

Little Board Match Results!

The Little Board Match at Harbord Diggers was a closely fought battle, with Norths going down 7-5 on the night. However, thanks to our strong showing in the first leg, we retain the shield on aggregate! 

Our team of 8 players was bolstered by two late additions, along with two joint members who play most of their chess with us. A big thank you to everyone who stepped up and represented Norths so well.

Great effort, team—let’s keep the momentum going!

Full results here: Little Board Results

Norths Tie the Series Against St George!

Heading into the night, Norths needed a one-point win to overcome St George’s slender advantage. As games ended and points were tallied, the lead swung back and forth, with the Dragons seemingly heading for victory.

But in true Norths spirit, we rallied to take the night by exactly the same score as St George’s earlier win—20.5-19.5—tying the series 40-40 on aggregate! St George Club Captain Charles Zworestine called it “a miraculous overall tie!!”

In the spirit of sportsmanship, Norths will have the names of both clubs engraved on the trophy alongside the historic 40-40 result. A huge congratulations to both teams for a fiercely contested and memorable Big Boards battle.

Full results here: Big Board Results

(Photos by Linden Fennamore)














(Photos by Linden Fennamore)

Recognising Gary Armstrong for His Incredible Contributions to Norths Chess Club!

Gary Armstrong, our dedicated Equipment Officer and Committee Member since 2016, plays a pivotal role in making Norths Chess Club the professional and welcoming environment it is today.

Some years ago, Gary saw the need for better equipment management and took on the responsibility, a task that has since grown significantly. His attention to detail ensures that the 120+ players who join us on a Tuesday night walk into a well-organised, professional environment. Gary not only keeps our equipment current and well-maintained but also manages the vital relationship with the Norths Events Team.

A Perfectionist in Action:
• Arrives three hours before play to set up and is the last to leave, often past midnight.
• Designed and 3D printed each of the new tournament table numbers, complete with our club’s name on the back—a perfect example of his innovative contributions.
• Quietly supports members who might be going through challenges, showing kindness behind the scenes.
• Welcomes and supports newer members, helping them feel part of the Norths family.

A Benchmark of Excellence:
Gary’s hard work and dedication have directly contributed to our club’s growth and its reputation as a benchmark for professionalism among chess clubs.

Norths is incredibly fortunate to have someone as hardworking, kind, and committed as Gary. Thank you, Gary, for everything you do—you inspire us all!

Recognising Rob Watson – Our Outstanding Director of Play!

Rob Watson has been a cornerstone of Norths Chess Club since 2018, stepping into the Director of Play role at very short notice—and excelling ever since! His dedication to the club is unmatched.

A Master of Organisation:
• Oversees club nights and manages tournament pairings with precision.
• The go-to expert on chess rules and organisation, ensuring fair play and smooth events.
• Instrumental in Norths’ reputation as the best-organised chess club in NSW, contributing to our record-breaking membership growth.

Contributions Beyond the Club:
• Serves as Secretary for both the NSW Chess Association and the Australian Chess Federation, keeping Norths connected to the broader chess community.
• A highly qualified chess arbiter who also runs training seminars, sharing his expertise with players and organisers nationwide.

Behind-the-Scenes Commitment:
While Rob is a familiar face on Tuesday nights, his unseen work is just as vital. From late-night preparations to ensuring every tournament runs to the highest standard, his efforts make Norths a professional and welcoming chess hub.

Thank you, Rob, for everything you do for Norths Chess Club—you’re an inspiration to us all!

Norths Chess Club Team Blitz Tournament – Tuesday, 12th November, 7:30 pm

Join us for our first-ever 7-round Team Blitz Tournament! Teams will be pre-selected based on player ratings, so no need to organise a team—just register and play. This is an ACF-rated, members-only event with a 3+2 time control.

Entry deadline: Monday, 11th November. Register here: northsydneychess@gmail.com

Location: Norths Chess Club, cnr Abbott & Palmer Streets, Cammeray

The winning team will take home Westfield Gift cards. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something new and exciting at the club!

Round 7 Purdy Tournament Update!

Round 7 brought plenty of excitement as Tony Zheng beat Jonathan Sua on the top board, regaining a half-point lead. There was an upset on Board 2, with Aiden Odenthal defeating Greg Canfell, while Lucas Ni and Daniel Wang secured wins over Ethan Chang and Will Wenderoth.

That leaves Tony Zheng on 6 points, closely followed by Aiden Odenthal, Lucas Ni, and Daniel Wang on 5.5, with 5 players sitting on 5 points. But here’s the twist—Tony Zheng is heading overseas and will miss the last 2 games! After playing a great tournament, he won’t be able to add to his tally, setting up a thrilling final two rounds.

In the Minor, it’s still a two-horse race. Joe Zhou won against Viachesla Korobitsin, and Clara Zhou beat Paul Ventura, leaving them both with a full point lead over Lucas Shi and Marcus Ni. Will either slip up, or are we heading for a tie?

Round 5 Highlights from the Purdy Major!

The top 5 boards of the Purdy Major brought plenty of action! On the top board, Greg Canfell’s two extra pawns were enough to dethrone Tony Zheng, who was leading into the round. Aiden Odenthal ended Justin Dingley’s great run with an exchange sacrifice followed by a pawn break, hunting down Justin’s king. Ethan Chang also claimed victory over Ian Stalker, while Ian Welch defeated Rob Watson. Lucas Ni and Daniel Wang’s game ended in a drawn bishop ending.

Now, Canfell, Odenthal, and Chang are tied for the lead with 4.5/5. It’s getting tense at the top!

In the Minor, Round 6 looks like it’ll be a family affair as Joe and Clara Zhou both won their Round 5 games (against Marcus Ni and Greg Money) to share the lead.

Commentary by our Club President, Peter Abbott.

Round 4 Update from the Purdy!

Round 4 saw sole leaders emerge in both tournaments! Tony Zheng claimed victory over Ian Stalker, while Ethan Chang and Aiden Odenthal drew earlier in the round. Out of the top 6 games, 3 featured Kings Indians, with Greg Canfell outplaying Joey Su, and Justin Dingley continuing his strong tournament with a win over Darryl Ross.

There were some big upsets on boards 5 and 6! Kurt Daley, a pawn up in an opposite-coloured bishop ending, overpressed, allowing Jonathan Sua’s pawns to race ahead. Meanwhile, Rob Watson converted a tough endgame against Kristine Quek.

In the Minor, Marcus Ni’s win against Leo Sandhu gives him a half-point lead, with Joe and Clara Zhou, along with Greg Money, just half a point back. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling competition!

Commentary by our Club President, Peter Abbott.

Round 3 Update from the Purdy!

It was an interesting round in the Purdy Major, with only four players sharing the lead with full points: Aiden Adenthal, Tony Zheng, Ethan Chang, and Ian Stalker, all victorious in their games. Henry Cronin, despite ‘surfing the increment’ for quite a while, managed to hold top seed Greg Canfell to a draw.

In the chasing pack, Emmet Murphy bravely declined a repetition against Justin Dingley but walked into a mate — a reminder that fortune doesn’t always favour the bold! We also saw some rating upsets on the top 10 boards with Joey Su defeating Dean Chen, and Darryl Ross winning against Kshrij Bhargava, while Harry Le held Peter Abbott to a draw.

In the Minor, Marcus Li and Leo Sandhu are leading with full points, but there’s a pack of six players just half a point behind, making it an exciting race!

Next round should be a thriller!

Commentary by our Club President, Peter Abbott.

• Greg Canfell’s sharp endgame technique eventually wore down Jonathan Sua.
• Chelsea Huey’s bishop ran out of squares under Tony Zheng’s endgame pressure.
• Ethan Chang vs Gary Armstrong featured mind-boggling complications, with an early advantage to black. Both players navigated it brilliantly, but the higher-rated player eventually prevailed.

Big Congratulations to Nestor Chan!

A huge shoutout to Nestor Chan for following up his joint first place in last week’s Allegro with a clear win in the Purdy Blitz! Nestor scored an impressive 8/9, finishing a full point ahead of the chasing pack, which included Ethan Chang, Reyaansh Chakrabarty, Harvey Zhu, and Henry Cronin. It was a tournament where junior players really shined!

With the Purdy Blitz behind us, we’re now gearing up for the John Purdy Memorial. Entries have officially closed, and we’re excited to announce that we’ve hit the 100 mark! Thanks to everyone who signed up—we’re looking forward to an incredible tournament ahead.

Congratulations to our 2024 Club Champion Bibek Thing tournament and division winners.

Candidates won by Ian Stalker by tie-break over Aiden Odenthal

Tournament 3 and Division A won by Chris Ball by tie-break over Darryl Chan
Division B - Paul Glissan

Tournament 4 and Division D winner Josh Liu
Division C - Linden Fennamore by tie-break over Peter Cai
Division E - Linda Qian by tie-break over Ian Lade

Tournament 5 won by Aiden Maleki

For full Vega results see

Tournament 1 | Tournament 2 | Tournament 3 | Tournament 4 |  | Tournament 5 

Willoughby City Council will make Chatswood CBD a vibrant chess board from 22 April to 19 May 2024 with its Checkmate Chatswood festival. Open to enthusiasts and novices alike, the festival boasts a packed schedule of interactive displays, educational workshops, and competitive tournaments designed to celebrate the strategic game of chess in all its glory.

A highlight of the festival is a Simultaneous Chess Display with Grandmaster Anton Smirnov

You can experience the thrill of playing against a chess grandmaster. Grandmaster Anton Smirnov will showcase his extraordinary talent by playing against 24 participants simultaneously. This event is a unique opportunity to observe and participate in a display of high-level chess strategy, reminiscent of scenes from "The Queen's Gambit."

Date: Saturday, 11 May 2024
Location: The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood. Chatswood Chess Club (which became Norths Chess Club) first met in 1908 at the School of the Arts in Chatswood - where the Concourse now stands. It is very special for our club to return to its roots for this festival.
Time: 11 AM 
Registration: Places are now full.

Other Festival Highlights Include:

• Chess Sculptures Exploration: Throughout the festival, 22 April - 19 May, Chatswood CBD. Venture out to discover supersized inflatable chess pieces scattered across Chatswood. This visual feast offers a unique backdrop for memorable photos with family and friends.
• School Holiday Chess Workshops: Scheduled for 22 April - 24 April at the Creator Space, Chatswood Library. Designed for children aged 5 to 12, these workshops are a fantastic opportunity for young minds to learn the basics of chess or sharpen their skills with advanced strategies. Registration is essential.
• Interactive Giant Chess Set: Available on select dates from 22 April - 19 May at The Concourse - The Green Space. Challenge your friends and family to a friendly game on a life-sized chess board. It's a perfect blend of physical activity and mental challenge suitable for all.
• Junior Chess League Tournament: Sunday, 28 April at The Concourse Foyer. A competitive event for players aged 5 to 17, offering them a chance to engage in a rated tournament, win prizes, and connect with fellow chess enthusiasts.
• Challenge a Chess Master: Saturday, 04 May at The Concourse. An open invitation to test your skills against International Master Cameron McGowan. This casual yet competitive setting requires no registration, making it easy for all to join.
• NSW Chess Association Allegro Tournament: Sunday, 19 May, at The Concourse Foyer. This ACF and FIDE rated ‘allegro’ tournament invites players of all ages to compete in seven 30-minute rounds of intense chess action. www.nswca.org.au

Be Part of the Chess Community

Checkmate Chatswood is not just a celebration of chess; it's a communal event bringing together individuals through the shared love of the game. Whether you're looking to compete, learn, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, the festival offers something for everyone.

Mark your calendars and be ready to join in the festivities. 

For further information:

Email:  info@checkmatechatswood.org
Website: www.visitchatswood.com.au/Experience/Checkmate-Chatswood

• Duration: 6th February to 9th April 2023
• Time: Matches commence at 7:30pm every Tuesday
• Structure: The championship will be conducted over nine rounds, ensuring a comprehensive and competitive experience for all participants. Please note that the schedule includes spare weeks to accommodate any unforeseen venue unavailability.

• Rating: Results will be submitted for FIDE Standard and ACF Classic rating.
• Prizes:: A trophy will be awarded to the winner of each division.

• Date: 30th January
• Highlight: Kicking off the Club Championship is a fast-paced and exciting Blitz tournament. This event is perfect for those looking to test their quick-thinking skills and enjoy the thrill of rapid games.

Congratulations to our 2022 Purdy Champion Cameron McGowan and other prizewinners

John Purdy Memorial Trophy: Cameron McGowan on tiebreak
Open: =1st Cameron McGowan, Marco Zheng;  3rd Sterling Bayaca
Rating group A: 1st Ian Parsonage; =2nd Chris Ball, Mark Baterowicz, Stephen Garner, Jongmin Lim, Henning Muller, Kristine Quek
Rating group B: 1st Reyaansh Chakrabarty;=2nd Tom Beeh, Craig Duker
Rating group C: =1st Joy Liu Vedantik Bhattacharyya
Rating group D: 1st Nathan Arav; 2nd Jonathan Kuba
Unrated: =1st Jonathan Sua, Layla Nafari
Upset prize winners: Daniel Ding, Chelsea Huey, Nathan Arav, Jonathan Kuba, Ethan Chang, Darryl Ross, James Gough, Reyaansh Chakrabarty, Owen Yang

CLICK HERE for the full results.

Congratulations to our 2022 Allegro Champion Anthony Fikh and other prizewinners

1st: Anthony Fikh
=2nd: Arthur Huynh, Bahman Kargosha, Robert Sunaryo
Rating Group A: =1st: Ethan Chang, David Stern
Rating Group B: =1st: Ryan Liu, James Gough
Unrated:   =1st: Frederick Kruger, Anthony Karnaout

CLICK HERE for the detailed results.

Congratulations to our 2022 Classic Champion Alaina Vincent and other prizewinners:

=1st: Alaina Vincent (Champion on tiebreak), Ridley Scott
=3rd: Nick Kordahi, Paul Russell
= Rating Group A: Arihant Yadav, Dean Chen, Ashok Reddy, Benjamin Tee
= Rating Group B: Marcel Lima, Deves Manoji
Unrated: Jongmin Lim

CLICK HERE for the full results.

The federation’s 2022 annual lifetime achievement medal for services to chess as an administrator has been awarded to its former Secretary, Paul Glissan. Paul was Norths Chess Club President during 2008-2018 and guided organisation at the club of numerous major chess events, including two Australian Championships, two Australian Open Championships and Oceania Zonal and Seniors championships.

Under Paul’s presidency at Norths, several club members represented Australia in a variety of international events, won Australian championship titles and achieved two grandmaster and several other FIDE titles.

Paul served as Secretary of the ACF when the Council was based in Sydney in 1998.

Paul is an active member of Norths Chess and the current Senioirs Champion. 

=1st Robert Sunaryo and Clive Ng; 3rd Arthur Huynh; Rating group A =1st Daniel Seaton, David Stern, and Joy Liu; Rating group B =1st David Miller and Robert Fenton-Lee Click here for detailed results

Although we hoped we could return on 19 October, Notths now plan to open their hospitality services first and allow the return of their sporting and social groups a little later.

We will stay in regular contact with them and let everyone know as soon as chess can resume.

By the time we return they will have completed the finishing touches to their auditorium renovation.

1st and Classic Champion. Sterling Bayaca.
Rating Group A. Joshua Li.
Rating Group B. Dean Nguyen-Jariv.
Unrated group. Kurt Daley

For tournament details see www.northsydneychess.org/winter-classic

2021 Club Champion: As winner of Tournament 1, Matthew Bennett

Tournament 1

Championship: 1st Stirling Bayaca;  2nd Gareth Charles; 3rd Jack Rodgers
Candidates: 1st Matthew Bennett (7/9); 2nd James Spencer; 3rd Vladimir Chugunov

Tournament 2

A: 1st Chris Taffard; 2nd Pertti Sirkka; 3rd. Toby Huey
B: 1st John McFarlane; 2nd Linden Fennamore; 3rd. James Zaverdinos

Tournament 3

C: 1st Thomas Ban; 2nd Ian Case; 3rd Yuze (Ethan) Li
D: 1st. Lucas Ni; 2nd Tom Beeh; 3rd Dominic Earle

Tournament 4

E: 1st Sean McDonald; 2nd Ethan Chang; 3rd James Ford (6.5/9)