“Knight to white square” as chess tourney returns

Year-long victim of the COVID-19 restrictions — Orange’s famous junior chess tournament is back, and it’s looking to be bigger and better than ever!

It’s not too late to sign-up for the return event this Saturday that is open to any young players of all standards.

The tournament has not been held since January 2020 with its return representing another welcome step back towards normality in our lives.

While online games have become popular during the lockdown with the ancient board-game undergoing a pandemic boom, there’s nothing like a live “across-the-board” game, event organiser Bevan Clouston believes. “A lot of players have been missing ‘over-the-board’ tournaments, that’s definitely true,” he said.

“it is a far better experience, for instance, the International Chess Federation only counts ‘over-the-board’ tournaments towards championship points.

“There’s just something about the tactile feel of it all, it’s just a nicer environment,” Bevan added.

He said that the 12-month-plus lockdown has players rearing to get back into live tournaments. This — added to the renaissance this ancient board game enjoyed during the lockdown —, has seen a boost in numbers for the game worldwide.

“For instance, for the Doeberl Cup in Canberra this weekend, we’ve had the largest number of entries ever, we have 338 entries which is huge,” he added.

“It’s certainly gotten a boost coming-out of lockdown, we’re getting so many more numbers through than in the past; we’re expecting 40–50 for this tournament as well,” he added.

Co-organiser for the past 15 years of the local tournament each school holidays, Joe Cummins says, like many board games and indoor activities, chess witnessed a boom in interest since the first lockdowns 12-months ago.

“We normally have the tournament four times a year in Orange, but we weren’t allowed to play chess ‘over the board’ since the lockdowns, many players though kept up their skills in online games…there are literally hundreds of young chess players in the central west.”

He added that, as well as getting kids off their iPad and other devices, this infinitely-complex game developed in India and Persia in the 12th century, is the perfect antidote to our risk-averse, helicopter-parented generation.

“Chess teaches adaptability, taking positive action, maximising opportunities and taking them when they arise,” he said.

“In chess, you’ve also got to learn to lose, the best players in the world get beaten, and that’s a great quality.”

He said that the event is for players of all levels: “You don’t have to be good, this is a fun tournament, but a ​knowledge of the rules​ is required and tournament conditions will be applied.”

“The games will be timed with chess clocks. But don’t worry if you have never played with clocks, you’ll be told how they work,” he said.

“Results will be sent to the NSW Junior Chess League for ratings,” he added.

The Orange Autumn Chess Tournament is at the St Barnabas Anglican Church Parish Hall on the corner of Dora and McLachlan Streets, east Orange.

Rather than the usual Thursday games, the event this year is on Saturday April 10 from 9.30–3.30pm.

Event entry is $22 ​per player with sibling discounts available. Trophies will be presented for first, second and third placegetters in different age categories.

Entry should be by this Friday, April 9 by contacting event coordinators Bevan Clouston on 0415 828 613 (email​: bkclouston@gmail.com) or Joe Cummins on 0411 271 224​ (email: heather.cummins@optusnet.com.au).

Late entry on the day will cost $25; players should bring their own lunch, refreshments, and a water bottle.