Check-mate for Australia’s best and brightest

It’s check-mate for Australia’s best and brightest chess stars in Springvale
MELISSA TOWNSEND
DANDENONG LEADER
JANUARY 10, 2014 12:00AM

THE nation’s most brilliant chess players have descended on Springvale to battle it out for the Australian title.

The Australian Chess Championships are held every two years and this year’s tournament kicked off on January 2 and winds up at at Springvale City Hall tomorrow.

The event has already broken its record for the highest number of participants overall and in the championship section, with 192 players taking part, including 42 in the top section.

Chairman of the organising committee and Noble Park Chess Club vice-president Dusan Stojic said there were some incredibly strong players in the top section, including defending champion and Grandmaster Darryl Johansen, one of only four players to hold the prestigious title in Australia and about 200 worldwide.

Two visiting Grandmasters from Russia and Vietnam also took part, though they were not eligible for the Australian title, while Australia’s first U12 World Champion, Bobby Cheng, also played.

Mr Stojic said the tournament was a great success.

“The coverage for the event was really good. Chess fans from all over Australia tuned into the live coverage, with the top seven boards in the championships section broadcast live as soon as they were played.

“We received very positive feedback about the venue itself and overall it’s been very, very positive.”

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au