Sunraysia Chess Club

By VINNIE RODI

SUNRAYSIA’S budding and experienced chess players will get the chance to showcase their skills next week, with the Sunraysia Chess Club to hosts its RJ Shield Tournament at the Mildura Senior College on Sunday, December 6.

The event will be open to players of all age groups and skill levels, with competitors as young as seven set to take part.

Other age divisions will include Under 8s through to 18s, with an open division to also be included for the region’s older players.

Club president Robyn Adlington said the group were looking forward to seeing a number of old and young chess lovers, both novice and masters, compete at the event, with the main goal to increase interest in the sport.

“At one time the Sunraysia Chess Club was a big hit amongst the area’s adult players,” she said.
“Unfortunately that interest has fallen off slightly in recent times, and it’s our hope that through these tournaments we can get more people interested in playing chess.

“I’m sure there are plenty of players, old and young, who don’t even know we exist, so it’s important to let those people know that there’s a place locally where they can play against people with a similar love of the game.

“The main point of this tournament is to give players a chance to test their skills while having fun, and at the same time promote the sport within the region.”

Robyn said that while most players set to compete had some level of experience, first-timers were encouraged to come down and learn the basics of the game.

“Getting new people interested is certainly one of our goals,” she said.

“If anyone wants to come down and watch, or even play they’re more than welcome.”

The tournament will follow rules utilised by numerous RJ Shield tournaments held across the country, with participants to play a ‘Swiss format’, which ensures that competitors enjoy a fun contest against evenly matched opponents.

All competitors will play seven games, with points to be awarded based on how many matches players win or draw.

Matches will last a maximum 15 minutes per player, with one point to be awarded for a win, half a point for draw and zero points for a loss.

All participants will receive a certificate based on their performance, with high distinctions to be awarded to those who amount six points or more, a distinction to those who accumulate between five and 5.5 points, a credit to those who amass between four and 4.5 points, and a participation for those with a total of 3.5 points or less.

Two players who will be trying their best to walk away with their respective age group titles are Trinity Lutheran College students Gretel Loughhead and Lachlan Heaysman, both 7, who despite their young ages are experienced players.

Gretel has been playing chess for four years, while Lachlan has been playing for two, with the two friends forming a rivalry at both school and the club.

Lachlan said that he had originally become interested with the sport after Gretel, who is in the same year as him, showed him how to play.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “I really like war games, and chess is like that.

Gretel said that her love of the game came from the amount of concentration required to play.

“You have to use your brain,” she said.

“And I like doing things where I have to use my brain.

“I’ve also made a lot of friends at the club, so I like playing chess with them.”

The RJ Shield Chess Tournament will take place next Sunday, December 6, at the Mildura Senior College library from 1pm to 6pm.

Interested players can register online at www.sunraysia-chess.com, with cost $20.

More information is also available by contacting Robyn on 0427 092 404.