2026 Best in the West

The flagship chess weekend in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs returns!

The Hobsons Bay Best in the West is back for 2026 — a premier classical weekend tournament attracting strong players from across Victoria and beyond.

📅 Dates

Saturday 29 August – Sunday 30 August 2026

📍 Venue

Finnish Hall, 119 Pier St, Altona

 

🏆 Tournament Details

• Format: 5-Round Swiss (no tiebreaks)

• Time Control: 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move
  (Scoresheet required)
• Rating: FIDE & ACF Rated
• Maximum Entries: 120 players
• Recommended Rating: ≥ 1000 ACF or FIDE

 Schedule

Saturday – 29 August 2026

• Registration & Player Briefing: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
• Round 1: 9:30 AM
• Lunch Break: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
• Round 2: 1:30 PM
• Round 3: 5:30 PM

Sunday – 30 August 2026

• Round 4: 9:30 AM
• Lunch Break: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
• Round 5: 1:30 PM

💰 Entry Fees

• Early Bird: $80 (Entries must be received by 14th August 2026)

• Early Bird Concession (Pensioners & Juniors): $60 (Entries must be received by 14th August 2026)
• Free Entry for GM / WGM / IM / WIM / FM / WFM (Entries must be received by 14th August 2026)
• Late Entry Fee: +$15 for entries received after Friday 14th August 2026

 

🏅 Prize Pool –Guaranteed

• 1st Place: $1,200 (Guaranteed)

• 2nd Place: $600
• 3rd Place: $300

• Best Juniors (Guaranteed): $1,000 -Proudly sponsored by Bendigo Bank

• Best Ladies: $300
• Rating Group 1 Winner: $200
• Rating Group 2 Winner: $200
• Best Unrated Player: $200
• Biggest Upset: $100

📜 Prize Rules

• No tiebreaks — prizes are shared equally between players on the same score.

• Players may win one prize only (highest value prize applies).
• Players with an ACF Classical rating will be divided into three equal rating groups:
  • Top group: not eligible for rating prizes
  • Middle group: Rating Group 1
  • Bottom group: Rating Group 2
• Players without an ACF rating but with a FIDE Classical rating will be placed at the Chief Arbiter’s discretion.
• Best Unrated prize is only for players without ACF or FIDE ratings.
• Biggest Upset is awarded for the largest upward rating differential win.
• Rating groups will be published by Round 2.

➕ Byes

• One ½-point bye available in Rounds 1–3

• Round 1 bye must be requested in advance of tournament commencement

📩 Enquiries

• FA/ CM Tony Davis – Tournament Director
  📞 0408 306 063

• IA Casey Goh- Chief Organiser
  ✉️ hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com