Australian Championship: A Tough Start

Fitzroy Town Hall, the impressive venue

The schedule for the 2016 Australian Chess Championship has been pretty tough, with 3 games in the first 2 days. Today was the dreaded double round, with the possibility of 10 hours of play. The FIDE time control of 90 minutes for 30 moves, and then 30 minutes for the remainder of the game plus 30 second increment for the whole game can lead to some long ones like the 5 hour marathon between Junta Ikeda and Ari Dale in round 2.

In round 1, there were no upset wins in the Championship, though there were 3 quite surprising draws. Defending champion Max Illingworth was held by Karl Zelesco, Zachary Loh held Justin Tan, while veteran Mirko Rujevic drew with the youngest player in the event, Anton Smirnov. Mirko was in a good mood before the round. He told me of the time he played the Australian Championship in Melbourne after a 25 year break from chess. His first round opponent was GM Ian Rogers who he beat! Not a bad start to a tournament, and he obviously felt good again to draw with Anton.

Round 2 saw the sensational result of Zach Loh beating Max Illingworth with the black pieces. This left Max on a very disappointing half point from his first 2 games and facing an uphill battle if he wants to successfully defend his title. However, there is a long way to go, and it would be foolish to rule anyone out of the running yet. The draws from the first round brought about the brutal second round pairing of Tan (2446) - Smirnov (2465). Black won, leaving Justin Tan also on just half a point. There were good wins for Luke Li against GM Darryl Johansen, and Ari Dale winning the marathon against Junta Ikeda. The other player to win against the rating was Dusan Stojic. It is good to see him playing well after the last Australian Championship where his play suffered because of the herculean organising job he did.

Top seed in reserves, Frank Lekkas vs Championship leader after 3 rounds, James Morris (instead of paying attention at the opening ceremony!)

The third round has just finished, after 9 pm. The day started at 10 am and this last round started at 4 pm, so it has been very tiring. The sensible thing was to have a quick draw, like GM Papin did IM Cheng on the top board. But 2 players moved to 3/3, IM's Kanan Izzat and James Morris, and these 2 will contest board 1 tomorrow. Joining Papin and Cheng on 2.5 are Anton Smirnov and Karl Zelesco, the 2 teenagers both showing some good form at the start of this tournament.  More disappointment came to fancied starts Justin Tan and Max Illingworth who could only draw with much lower rated opposition, leaving both of them on 1/3 and facing a big ask to catch the leaders.

The results of the Championship can be seen on the chess results server.

The Reserves tournament is huge with over 150 players. It has also been highly competitive, and only 7 players have made it to 3/3, Tom Narenthran, Kris Chan, Justin Penrose, Adam Kelly, Clive Ng, Charles Tsai and Paul Broekhuyse. But there are then a further 17 players just half a point down, while at this early stage, like in the Championship, it would be crazy to rule out players further down the field. With another 8 rounds to go, it is difficult to predict much about this tournament, except the winner will have to play to a high standard. The reserves results can be found on the tournament website.

The tournament made news headlines in the Age newspaper, which is good promotion work from the committee of the MCC. The top 8 games from the Championship can be followed live via the ACF website or with engine analysis at Chessdom.

Analysis and commentary rooms are active. IM Leonid Sandler posing in between commentary duty with youngster Alistair McCutcheon.

#HeforShe in Chess

I popped into the Melbourne Chess Club today to check out the Australian Women's Master's that is currently taking place, and to touch base with my favourite club. I haven't been to the Melbourne Chess Club for probably over 6 months, and have missed the place somewhat. When I walked in the door, the first person I saw was Elizabeth Warren who used to be vice-President of MCC when I was on the committee a few years back. She doesn't live that far from me and I've always found her easy to talk to and get along with.

Elizabeth told me that she had taken some time off the committee, but she still regularly hangs around the club helping out and playing at Saturday Allegro tournaments, and on a Tuesday night. We had a chat, a laugh about times gone by, and then she dropped that she was standing for President of the MCC, and if elected, the first female President of the MCC in it's glorious 149 years history. Although this doesn't surprise me, the fact that women have been so under represented in positions of authority in Australian chess (and World chess, for that matter) is, when you think about it, quite appalling.

The ACF has no women represented at all in it's staff. I am fairly new to Australia, but I'm guessing that the ACF's history won't be filled with female Presidents, and a look through the archives will probably show that there has been a general lack of representation for women at the administrative level. Chess Victoria does a little better, with Elsa Yueh on the executive, and Katrin Aladjova-Kusznirczuk as ambassador and former President. I have no idea again, if there has been much in the way of representation for women in the history of Chess Victoria, but I would guess not.

While these trends aren't particular to Australia, I've used these organisations as examples because that is where I'm based. Chess is a game organised in a non inclusive way, to the detriment of women, among others. Just the fact that there is a an Australian Women's Championship, and exclusive women's events are organised in this country, but there is no department for women's chess, no officer in charge of promoting or organising this, regardless of gender, is somewhat of an anomaly. But here's a list off the top of my head of some issues which make chess a male dominated game:

- lack of female representation in chess organisations
- lower expectation's of performance, for example the significantly lower norm requirements for women
- lower numbers of girls playing the game, and encouraged to play the game at a lower level. There is a well reasoned article by Greg Shahade on the benefits of girls only tournaments, but why strong girls shouldn't play in them published in 2014.
- women only events (I'm actually rather creeped out by this, it has somewhat the feeling of segregation about it)
- BUT, if women's only events are so important, why was the women's World Championship delayed last year, and still has not been played? There was no such problem for the men's event, even after some difficult negotiating by the parties involved.
- AND, inequity of prizes for men and women. I mean, if they are to be separated, then at least make the prizes similar for men's and women's tournaments, or even girls/boys events where the inequity even exists!

Currently, WIM Anne Haast is playing in the B-section of the Tata Steel event and is on 1.5/3. If she scores 5/13, she qualifies for an IM norm and 7/13 should get her a GM norm. She can also qualify for WGM/WIM norms from this event if I correctly understand rule 1.45 of the FIDE handbook section on Title Regulations. So I guess what I'm saying is what is the need of round robin women's only events? Shouldn't strong female players be encouraged to participate with strong male players, and then we can drop the gender issue and just call anyone and everyone a player of their level? Because even saying things such as a "strong female player" has a bias to it. No women played in either section of the Australasian Masters tournament held in December, round robin tournaments held to offer norm opportunities to players.

I won't be going to the MCC AGM, but I left my vote with Elizabeth as a proxy for her to cast for me. Essentially, I have cast my vote for Elizabeth in the election, and I hope she becomes the next President of the MCC. I personally would like to see more encouragement for women to participate in our great game, at a player level, an administrative level, and as an equal to their male opponents.

For those of you not sure about gender equality issues and why men should take a part in gender equality and feminist issues, then take a look at this video, which helped to kick start the HeforShe campaign that took shape last year.  It will give a good introduction to the subject, and listening to Emma Watson's speech, you can hear things which definitely apply in the world of chess, marking us as acting in unequal ways.

Spectator vs Player

I have to say that watching the 2014 Australian Championships has been far harder for me than any tournament I've played in. After today, I arrived home, went for a run, showered and then promptly fell asleep. It's close to midnight now and I'd better post or it will be back to bad days of procrastination.

Australian Blitz Champion 2014, IM Bobby Cheng. Can he do the double?

So yesterday there was a the Australian blitz championship which holds little interest for me. Bobby Cheng won the title though Vietnamese GM Hoang Thong Tu won the event. There was also an ACF AGM held, but this holds about as much interest for me as the blitz event. Apparently, the ACF have decided to sponsor the Australian Championship to the tune of $5000 in the future, as averse to offer $5000 as a guarantee against losses. Personally, I think the ACF should be directing the running of the event anyway so while this is a welcome step, I guess I'd still like to see more central involvement from the ACF in organisation of the Championship.

And talking of the Championship, 3 rounds have happened since I last wrote. At the top we have 3 leaders on 5.5/7 and they've all played each other: GM Papin, IM's Cheng and Ly. They are followed on 5/7 by IM Bjelobrk and GM Tu, so the top 2 pairings of round 8 are:

Bjelobrk-Papin
Ly-Tu

Bobby Cheng is floating further down to meet IM Max Illingworth who is one of 7 players on 4.5, while a further 5 sit on 4. I know a lot can happen in the last 4 rounds, but I can't see anyone from below this group taking a high position (though I'd be happy to eat my words if this happens).

3 times Champion, Doug Hamilton adjusting his pieces against Derek Yu

The Reserves tournament is being led by the popular Doug Hamilton. Doug has won the actual championship 3 times, and there was some controversy over whether he should be playing in this year's Championship or not (check out Alex Wohl's latest blog post). Whatever, he is playing and leading the Reserves, ahead of a pretty strong field. The Challengers is the third tournament for players under 1600. It is only a 9 round event (compared to 11 for the Championship and Reserves) and tomorrow will see round 8. There is a large bunch within striking distance, but a single player, Calixto Dilag currently leads by half a point. Today I'll leave you with some images from the event :)

Springvale Town Hall, with great viewing balcony

WGM Sukander-GM Johansen (a win for the WGM)

Karl Zelesco-Max Illingworth

WCM Vineetha Wijesuriya

WIM Alexandra Jule

Zhi Lin Guo

Alanna Chew Lee

David Beaumont

The End of My FIDE Playing Days?

In the February FIDE rating list, my name didn't appear, and there seems to be no trace of me. Actually, this didn't come as too much of a surprise to me, as I'd been waiting for it to happen. You see, I'm a player who doesn't really fit into the new levels of professionalism that the international chess body seems to want to impose upon the chess world. But let's start at the beginning, because I'm not totally blameless and a Kafkaesque victim here.

A long time ago, I was a member of the British Chess Federation. This organisation changed to the English Chess Federation (ECF) which I have never been a member of. The main reason for me not becoming a member is that I emigrated to Australia and I felt the ECF no longer represented my interests (there are some other issues, but I'm not going to go into them here). FIDE require that all players be members of their federation, and I am not, and do not intend to pay the ECF for that privilege. So that is why I've been delisted in the FIDE rating lists.

Of course, I could change my federation to Australia, where I live and am now a citizen. In fact I inquired about this of the then International Ratings Officer Greg Canfell, who was pretty helpful and sent me all that I needed to provide to him for the switch. However, a stumbling block for me was the transfer fee that FIDE required for a player of my strength (2100-2200). To change federations would cost me 250 euros, which seems to me to act as a deterrent for players rather than an investment. I'm a player in my mid 40's who isn't likely to improve, but could be an active member of the chess community for many years to come, and a typical stepping stone type player for improving juniors. However, that is not going to happen, as I have no intention of paying 250 euros to change federation, and I have no intention of paying the ECF a membership.

So where does that leave me? I'm an amateur who enjoys long play games, not a professional or a master strength player. Firstly, I can still play chess games not rated under the FIDE system, which might turn into the majority of tournaments if FIDE continue with their new plans regarding player registrations. Also, if I want to change federation without incurring the 250 euro cost, then I have to play no FIDE rated games for 6 years, and prove residency within the country I wish to adopt. To me this is the preferable course of events, because I'm thoroughly sick of the amount of money the international chess federation wants to bleed from the players of its member constituents. I have toyed in the past with attempting to achieve FIDE and International Arbiters titles, and with gaining the FIDE Trainer qualification. But at the end of the day, it's all just a massive money making process for FIDE and doesn't really help member states or players at all. I think GM Kevin Spraggett sums it all up perfectly.

My immediate future will consist of writing this blog and other articles, coaching chess (without a FIDE Trainers qualification!), playing online at ICC, and playing some local tournaments when I can find the time. I'll continue to support my chess club, the Melbourne Chess Club, though I don't think I'll be able to play in many of the events there. I might go back to blogging live some of the rounds! Maybe after 6 years, I'll come back to the FIDE rated scene as an Australian. The way things are going though, I highly doubt it.

Greatness in Chess

Chess can be played anywhere, by anyone!

So what constitutes greatness when it comes down to chess?

It's only a couple of hours before the start of the 2013 edition of Wijk aan Zee, the tournament that all the top players want to win. This year a star studded field including World Champ Anand, World Number 1 Carlsen and Olympiad hero and World Number 3 Aronian will do battle. I will be paying close attention to this event, as I guess will much of the chess fans around the World. Whoever wins the top section will fall in alongside the greats who have won this tournament before such as Euwe, Botvinnik, Tal, Petrosian, Spassky, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand (Anand having won it the most times, 5 wins so far!). Then there are the hopefuls from the b-tournament, the winner qualifying for next year's premier event. Last year's winner, Harikrishna  from India, is ranked inside the top 50 in the World so the b-tournament is a great event as well!

Of course, greatness comes in many forms. For instance, the performance of 15 year old Victorian Bobby Cheng in the Australian Open Championship has been quite remarkable. With one round to go, the teenager leads the field by a whole point guaranteeing at least a share of first, and has secured an IM norm as well. In fact, Bobby heads a number of young players who are near the top of the standings, Moulton Ly (2nd), Max Illingworth (=3rd), Junta Ikeda and Andrew Brown (=6th) which bodes well for the future of Australian chess.

Giant chess for all ages on the streets of Frankston

Of course, the future of Australian chess lies not just in the hands of the players. There is a whole machinery that runs chess in this country (as in any country) and it doesn't always run smoothly! A few days ago in Sydney elections were held for executive positions in the Australian Chess Federation. There hasn't been much change, Gary Wastell retains the position of President, Bill Gletsos Deputy President, and Norm Greenwood Treasurer. Kevin Bonham holds the position of Vice President and is joined in that position by Victorian State President Leonid Sandler who makes his debut on the committee. Another Victorian joining the exec is Kerry Stead who has become Secretary. I guess it's worth noting the aims of the Federation as that is how the executive members will be judged in their performance:

i. to foster and control the game of chess throughout Australia;

ii. to represent the chess players of Australia in all chess matters;

iii. to conduct or authorise the conduct of Australian chess championships and other chess competitions for individuals and teams representing affiliated State Associations;

iv. to encourage excellence in the playing of chess, the promotion of chess and sportsmanship generally by the awarding of national titles and the presentation of awards;

v. to provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of questions relating to the playing and administration of chess in Australia;

vi. to co-operate with other organisations whose purposes and interests are in accord with those of the Federation;

vii. to maintain a national rating system to enable comparison of the chess playing abilities of Australian chess players;

viii. to provide through the promotion of chess an activity whereby leisure time may be used in a manner conducive to peaceful coexistence and enhanced quality of life; and

ix. generally to do all such things as the Federation may deem appropriate to achieve the above purposes or any of them.

(I have to admit that point viii brings a small smile to my face)

While the greatness of our national administrators may be judged by their performance and the performance of the country and its top players, there are countless numbers of volunteers at grass roots level  who are doing a sterling job of promoting chess in their regions through clubs, tournaments, libraries, shops, and in many other ways. For instance, my club the Melbourne Chess Club is fundraising by running a sausage sizzle tomorrow in South Melbourne. Some club members are giving up their time to do something which will be of benefit to their club, and thus are giving back something to the activity which they get so much pleasure from.

Bringing chess to the masses in Frankston

It is these sorts of actions which really set me writing this article today. I left my house about lunchtime today but had seen an inspiring picture of chess being played on the street in New York. I drove down the bay to Frankston where the local club was promoting chess and the club in the streets of the bayside suburb. A number of members were out playing chess and talking to anyone who showed an interest in chess. They had a giant chess set and players of all ages were playing games of chess and even backgammon (though I'll not talk more about this sacrilege). I have to give a big thumbs up to the guys at Frankston for getting out and taking chess to the public. My last article finished with the statement that"promotion of the game in its educational and sporting forms is a bigger problem that needs tackling". The volunteers at Melbourne and Frankston Chess Clubs are doing their bit, and every little bit helps. Good on you guys, to me you are as great for chess in your own way as the superstars at Wijk aan Zee!