Labor Day long weekend in Ballarat:  Workshops, Rapid Tournament and Begonia Open

In association with the Ballarat Chess Club Inc. and the 50th Ballarat Begonia Open Chess Tournament

Dates:  13-14 March, 2015

Venue:  Ballarat Clarendon College, 
1425 Sturt Street  Ballarat (enter school down Wanliss Road)

Accommodation: 
Early booking for this busy long weekend is highly recommended. See visitballarat.com.au or www.ballarat.com for accommodation options and tourist information.

Option 1: Chess Kids Workshops and Rapid Play Tournament


Sunday 13th March
9.30am - 5:00pm  Chess Workshops and activities
  • Small group chess training appropriate to experience level
  • Opportunity to view the Begonia Open to see English chess superstar Nigel Short and Australia's top players in action

Monday 14th March
9:30am - 4:30pm   Rapid Play Tournament
  • Games 25min + 10sec per move
  • Expert one-on-one analysis of games between rounds

Costs per student
Sunday Workshops  $70  (2nd and subsequent siblings $50)
Monday Tournament  $40  (2nd and subsequent siblings $30)
Both Sunday and Monday  $100  (2nd and subsequent siblings $70)

Option 2: Ballarat Begonia Open

For the last 50 years the Ballarat Begonia Open has run as one of the best Adult Open Chess Tournaments in Victoria. In 2016 for the 50th Begonia Open, the field include world-famous English Super-Grandmaster Nigel Short, together with many of Australia's best players and a number of strong juniors.  We encourage students with a rating of 1000+ (or who can comfortably play a 2-3 hour game of chess) to consider taking part in this fantastic event.

The 1999 Chess Kids Squad @ Begonia Open

  • Which 5 kids achieved ratings of between 2000 and 2400?
  • Which one from this group became an International Master?   
  • Which 9 of these kids won a National Age Title? 
  • Which one is David? 
  • Most importantly, all 20 pictured here still love chess to this day!