We’re excited to announce that registrations for HBCC Junior Chess Coaching is now open for 2026 Term 2! Over last few months, we have re-designed our coaching framework and introduced a new coaching team, with five top-performing players from the HBCC Open section (more details here). These experienced competitors bring strong playing credentials, modern training methods and firsthand tournament experience, ensuring students receive high-quality instruction that connects theory with practical play. Reminder: our venue for Chess coaching is now Hobson’s Bay Chess Club @Altona (not Laverton). As you'd have seen in Term 1, this helps coaching students participate in ongoing Rookies and Junior tournaments. We welcome existing Term 1 students and new students to come join our chess coaching in Term 2 2026!   PS: Timings mentioned are indicative only. Class timings will differ based on the group timing or coach availability for one-on-one.   See our Coaching Terms and Conditions here.  

♟️ Technical Arbiter Training Program – Full Syllabus Chess Victoria is launching a Technical Arbiter Training Program to develop practical, hands-on skills required to run modern ACF and FIDE-rated tournaments.   🎯 Program Overview With increasing tournament size and complexity, arbiters and organisers are expected to be proficient in: Vega pairing software DGT board operations Rating file management Live results and broadcasting This program is designed to build technical capability, improve tournament standards, and reduce reliance on a small pool of experts.   📚 Training Syllabus 🔹 Vega & Tournament Management I & II (Instructor: IA Dr Peter Tsai)- select only 1 Tournament Setup Creating tournaments in Vega Managing players with multiple ratings (ACF Classical / Quick / Blitz / FIDE) Importing rating files and handling provisional ratings Pairings & Control Automatic and manual pairings Handling late entries and latecomers Managing byes and withdrawals Special pairing scenarios Tournament Operations Prize configuration (rating groups, age prizes, upset prizes) Printing pairings and results Managing changes after registration closure Efficiency & Best Practice Time-saving workflows Common errors and how to avoid them Real tournament case scenarios   🔹 Advanced Vega & DGT Training (IA Walter Wolffs) Module 1 – DGT Boards & Troubleshooting (1.5 hours) Physical setup and cabling Board configuration Common issues and troubleshooting Real-time problem solving Module 2 – DGT Integration & Broadcasting (1 hour) Live game broadcasting setup Broadcast delay and fair-play considerations Integration with online platforms Module 3 – Online Results & Publishing (1 hour) Uploading pairings and results FTP and Vega online tools QR-code pairing systems Publishing to ChessChat and other platforms   🧪 Practical Assessment Participants will complete a 1-hour practical assessment, covering: Tournament setup in Vega Importing ratings Managing pairings, byes, and entries Publishing results ✅ Successful participants will receive a Chess Victoria Technical Arbiter Certificate   📅 Training Sessions Vega & Tournament Management II 📍 Ballarat (Anglers Hall, 114C Wendouree Parade, Ballarat on the corner of Devon Street) 📅 Saturday, 9 May 2026 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Vega & Tournament Management I 📍 Glen Waverley Secondary College 📅 Saturday, 30 May 2026 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Advanced Vega + DGT Training 📍 Melbourne Chess Club 📅 Sunday, 16 August 2026 ⏰ 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM   💰 Fee $25 per participant   👥 Who Should Attend? Arbiters (NA, FA, IA) Aspiring arbiters Tournament organisers Club officials and volunteers   📌 Key Notes Hands-on practical training (bring your laptop recommended) Limited to ~10–15 participants per session Strong demand — early registration encouraged   👥 Questions? Email: IA Casey Goh hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com

Tournament is catered for beginners, juniors and rookies (including adults) below ACF 1500 or FIDE 1700.  Venue: Hobsons Bay Chess Club, 108 Queen Street Altona Rating: FIDE/ ACF Classical Rating Contact: FA Kuanysh Batyrbekov hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com  Chief Arbiter: FA Myiesha Maunders Deputy Chief Arbiter: NA Hemanth Gajula Entry: $45 (members only price) $65 (non-members) To register as member: https://portal.hobsonsbaychess.com/member/memberships Early Bird ends strictly 1 week in advance: 9th MAY 2026 (SATURDAY), Late Entry $75 with no exceptions.  Last Day to Register: 14th MAY 2026 (THURSDAY), preliminary R1 pairings to be distributed on 15th MAY (Friday) Schedule: 6:00 PM - Tournament starts Format: 7 rounds, 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move (1 round per week), with 3 weeks' break in July (school holidays) Notation is mandatory Two Half Point byes available per player between Rounds 1 to 5. Must be notified at least one day in advance of the round. Eligibility:  Unrated  (rating by Close of tournament registration) or ACF below 1500 (rating by Close of tournament registration) or  FIDE rating below 1700 (rating by Close of tournament registration) Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident OR FIDE ID (registered with home country chess federation) Non Citizen or PR holder are required to register your FIDE ID with your home country. No exception on this.  Trophies/ Medals + Cash Prizes Cash prizes are as below First Prize Rating Group 1: $200 Second Prize Group 1: $100 Third Prize Group 1: $50 Rating Group 2 Winner: $50 Rating Group 3 Winner: $50 (based on number of entries) Rating Group 4 Winner: $50 (based on number of entries) Tournament Rules - please view here