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

♟️ 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 major_tournaments@hobsonsbaychess.com

♟️ Western Juniors Rapid Championship 2026 Date: Saturday, 2 May 2026 Venue: Hobsons Bay Chess Club 108 Queen Street, Altona 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/yT8Qbgu9ZGP1KjcW9 Early Bird Deadline: 10 April 2026 Rating: FIDE Rapid & ACF Quick Rated 1. Entry Fees Early Bird (by 10 April 2026): HBCC Members: $50 HBCC Titled Members (CM/WCM/ FM/ WFM/ IM/ WIM/ GM/ WGM): Free if entry received before 10th April Non-Members: $60 Late Entry (after 10 April 2026): Members & Non-Members: $70 2. Tournament Format 9-Round Swiss System One combined playing pool Age categories apply for prizes only 3. Byes Players may request up to one (1) half-point bye No half-point byes permitted in the final two rounds (Rounds 8–9) Bye requests must be submitted to the Chief Arbiter at 📧 hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com before pairings are generated for the next round 4. Entry Eligibility & Age Divisions (for prizes only) Eligibility Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident, OR Holder of a valid FIDE ID registered with their home country federation Non-citizens or non-PR holders must register a FIDE ID with their home federation (No exceptions) Age Eligibility Maximum junior age: Under 18 Age Categories U8: Born 2018 or later U10: Born 2016 or later U12: Born 2014 or later U14: Born 2012 or later U16: Born 2010 or later U18: Born 2008 or later 5. Prizes Cash Prizes (regardless of age group) 1st Open: $500 2nd Open: $250 3rd Open: $100 Guaranteed Best Girl: $300 Best Girl prize is stackable (e.g. 3rd Open + Best Girl) Additional Prizes 30+ trophies & medals across age categories (subject to number of entries) 6. Ratings & Eligibility Tournament is FIDE Rapid Rated and ACF Quick Rated A valid FIDE ID is required for FIDE rating submission Non-citizen or non-PR players without a FIDE ID must apply through their national federation before the event Players without a valid FIDE ID may be excluded from FIDE rating submission 7. Indicative Schedule Time Control: 12 minutes + 3 seconds increment (12+3) Time Event 8:30 AM Arrival & Registration 9:00 AM Round 1 9:40 AM Round 2 10:20 AM Round 3 11:00 AM Round 4 11:40 AM Round 5 12:20 PM Lunch Break 1:00 PM Round 6 1:40 PM Round 7 2:20 PM Round 8 3:00 PM Round 9 ASAP after Round 9 Prize Giving Schedule may be adjusted slightly at the arbiter’s discretion. 8. Withdrawals Withdrawals notified to the organiser at 📧 hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com at least 72 hours before the event will be eligible for a full refund No refunds will be issued for withdrawals received after this deadline   Tournament Rules can be found here https://drive.google.com/file/d/13lTerNO3w6YsJq_4toZiucGdqqls-jUc/view?usp=sharing

Entry: $30 (members) $50 (non-members). Add $15 late fee for entries after Tuesday 14 April. Free entry for titled players (includes GM/WGM/IM/WIM/FM/WFM/CM/WCM). Must enter by Tuesday 14 April. Format: 3 separate 6 player round robins (Western Masters, Western Major, Western Minor). Remaining players play 5 round swiss. Players allocated based on ACF rating (FIDE rating if not ACF rated) as at the March rating list. Rating: FIDE / ACF Classical Rating Eligibility: Australian Citizens or Permanent Resident OR FIDE ID for players registered with a non-Australian Federation. Contact: NA Steven Hogan hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com Chief Arbiter: FA Myiesha Maunders hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com Schedule: Tuesdays 7:30 PM. Round schedule provided below. Format: 5 rounds. 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move (1 round per week). See above for allocation of players to events. Notation is mandatory for all moves. No byes available in the round robin events.  One half point bye is available in the swiss event between rounds 1 to 3. Must be notified to the Chief Arbiter by 5pm Wednesday following the previous round. Trophies & Cash Prizes Cash Prizes below $1,000 Prize Pool Western Masters - $250 Western Major - $250 Western Minor - $250 Western Swiss - $250 Tropies for winners of each event.   Tournament Rules: Click Here

♟️🌊 HBCC presents: Chess by the Beach! 🌊♟️ From the Board to the Boardwalk Street Chess Edition We’re taking chess outdoors for our very first Social Street Chess Afternoon! 🗓️ Date: 18th April ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: In front of 135 Esplanade, Altona VIC 3018, Australia. Do not go inside the house.  Think: ♟️ Fast blitz battles 🌅 Beach vibes 🍿 Snacks provided 😄 Plenty of laughs and fun 🕒 Format: Blitz 3+2 📊 Unrated – zero pressure, maximum fun 🎟️ FREE for HBCC members 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All levels welcome ⚠️ First in, best dressed! Due to venue space limitations, spots are limited — sign up early to secure your seat. We’ll be playing in a sheltered area, so light rain won’t stop us. If the weather gets wild 🌧️, we’ll relocate back to HBCC. No ratings. No stress. Just chess, community, and good vibes by the beach. From the Board to the Boardwalk — let’s make it iconic. ♟️🌊🔥

Venue: Hobsons Bay Chess Club, 108 Queen Street Altona Rating: FIDE Rapid / ACF Quick Rating Contact: NA Steven Hogan hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com  Chief Arbiter: FA Matthew Whitford Deputy Chief Arbiter: NA Truong Nguyen Entry: $Free (members only price) $25 (non-members) To register as member: https://portal.hobsonsbaychess.com/member/memberships Schedule: 7:30 PM - Tournament starts Format: 5 rounds, 13 minutes + 2 seconds per move Eligibility:    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.   

  Venue: Hobsons Bay Chess Club, 108 Queen Street Altona Rating: FIDE Blitz / ACF Quick Rating Contact: NA Steven Hogan hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com  Chief Arbiter: FA Matthew Whitford Deputy Chief Arbiter: NA Truong Nguyen Entry: $Free (members only price) $25 (non-members) To register as member: https://portal.hobsonsbaychess.com/member/memberships Schedule: 7:30 PM - Tournament starts Format: 9 rounds, 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move Eligibility:  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.   

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: NA Kuanysh Batyrbekov hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com  Chief Arbiter: FA Myiesha Maunders Deputy Chief Arbiter: Venkat Ganesan 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: 7th MAR 2026 (SATURDAY), Late Entry $75 with no exceptions.  Last Day to Register: 12th MAR 2026 (THURSDAY), preliminary R1 pairings to be distributed on 13th MAR (Friday) Schedule: 6:00 PM - Tournament starts Format: 5 rounds, 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move (1 round per week), with 3 weeks' break in April (holidays) Notation is mandatory One Half Point bye available per player between Rounds 1 to 3. 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

Entry: $30 (members) $50 (non-members). Add $15 late fee for entries after Tuesday 24 February. Free entry for titled players (includes GM/WGM/IM/WIM/FM/WFM/CM/WCM). Must enter by Tuesday 24 February. Rating: FIDE / ACF Classical Rating Eligibility: Australian Citizens or Permanent Resident OR FIDE ID for players registered with a non-Australian Federation. Contact: NA Steven Hogan hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com Chief Arbiter: FA Myiesha Maunders hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com Schedule: Tuesdays 7:30 PM. Round schedule provided below. Format: 5 rounds. 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move (1 round per week). Notation is mandatory for all moves. One half point bye is available between rounds 1 to 3. Must be notified to the Chief Arbiter by 5pm Wednesday following the previous round. Trophies & Cash Prizes Cash Prizes below $1,000 Prize Pool Overall 1st $300 2nd $200 3rd $100 Rating prizes Rating Group 1 $100 Rating Group 2 $100 Rating Group 3 $100 Best Female $100 Rating Groups will be decided on ACF rating, with field split into four event groups. Rating Groups will be published ahead of round 2. Cash Prize Rules: Eligibility rating is as at start of Round 1 One prize per player (highest value) Ties split prize money equally Rating prizes are “Under” cut-offs (e.g., U1600 means <1600) Tournament Rules: Click Here  

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: NA Kuaynsh Batyrbekov hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com  Chief Arbiter: NA Joemar Lacson Deputy Chief Arbiter: Uma Ramalingam Entry: $45 (members only price) $65 (non-members) To register as member: https://portal.hobsonsbaychess.com/member/memberships Early Bird ends: 25th JAN 2026 (THURSDAY), Late Entry add $10.  Last Day to Register: 30th JAN 2026 (FRIDAY) Schedule: 6:00 PM- Tournament starts Format: 5 rounds, 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move (1 round per week) Notation is mandatory One Half Point bye available per players between rounds 1 to 3. Must be notified one week in advance. 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 Rule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kQ5KOiYAfaTlMUoREe8a6dTaC64lsqeZ/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=100196353676468704912&rtpof=true&sd=true

Venue: Hobsons Bay Chess Club, 108 Queen Street Altona Entry: $30 (members only price) $50 (non-members). Free Entry for Paid HBCC Members with GM/WGM/IM/WIM/FM/WFM title. Rating: FIDE/ ACF Classical Rating Eligibility: Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident OR FIDE ID (registered with home country chess federation) Contact: NA Steven Hogan hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com  Chief Arbiter: NA Truong Nguyen hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com Schedule: 7:30 PM- Tournament starts Format: 5 rounds, 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move (1 round per week) Notation is mandatory. One Half Point bye available per players between rounds 1 to 3. Must be notified one week in advance. Trophies/ Medals + Cash Prizes Cash prizes are as below 1st Place: $300 2nd Place: $150 3rd Place: $100 Rating Group 1: $100 (Under 1800 FIDE) Rating Group 2: $100 (Under 1500 FIDE and Unrated FIDE players) Tournament Rules: Click Here