Info and Schedule

Venue

The Tasmanian Winter Chess Festival will be held at the Menai Hotel Motel & Function Centre, located at 20 Edwardes St, South Burnie TAS 7320.

Dates and Times

The Tasmanian Winter Chess Festival will be held over two days: Saturday, July 6th and Sunday, July 7th.

Please refer to the detailed schedule below for specific round times.

This non-profit event supports the chess community!

Main Event Rapid

This 7-round rapid tournament is the heart of the Tasmanian Winter Chess Festival. Players will compete with a time control of 10 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move This event is both FIDE and ACF rated.

Mayhem Blitz

Get ready for chaos in the Mayhem Blitz! This thrilling tournament throws a curveball each round with a unique starting position that's different every time. Expect unbalanced and dynamic boards that demand quick thinking and tactical prowess. You'll face your opponent twice, once with each color, to test your adaptability. The starting position will be revealed 2 minutes before each round begins. Fast moves are essential with a time control of 3 minutes and 2 seconds increment per move.

King of the Hill Blitz

This blitz chess tournament offers an exciting twist! Win by checkmating your opponent OR by moving your king to the center squares (e4, e5, d4, d5). Fast thinking and strategic moves are key in this rapid format with a time control of 3 minutes and 2 seconds increment per move.

Masterclass

Elevate your chess game with Grandmaster Anton Smirnov's captivating masterclass! This one-hour session is perfect for players of all ages and experience levels, offering insights and strategies from a chess expert. Don't miss this chance to learn from the best!

Simultaneous Exhibition

Test your skills against chess grandmaster Anton Smirnov in a thrilling Simultaneous Exhibition! Limited to only 40 players, this separate event offers a unique opportunity to face a chess legend.

Please note: If you registered for this before it became free, you will be contacted for refund. Likewise if you registered for the event but not the simul, before it became free, a seat will be reserved for you.

Organisers and Arbitors

* NA Zacharias Lim is the only current Arbitor for the FIDE rated rapid portion of the festival.

Byes & Non-Attendance

Due to the Swiss pairing system, there may be occasions where a player cannot be paired with an opponent for a specific round. In these cases, the player will receive a forced bye and be awarded 1 point.

Please note: If you are unable to participate in a round, please inform the Tasmanian Winter Chess Festival organizers as soon as possible. Missing a round without notification will result in a forfeit and a score of 0 points for that round. Two instances of unnotified absences will lead to withdrawal from the tournament.

Spectators

The Tasmanian Winter Chess Festival welcomes spectators! To ensure a fair and FIDE-rated competition, silence must be maintained in the playing area. Spectators are not permitted to communicate with players during matches. Mobile phones must be silenced. The arbiters have the authority to remove spectators whose behavior disrupts the tournament environment.

FIDE Regulations

The Tasmanian Winter Chess Festival adheres to all FIDE Laws of Chess. Maintaining a fair and respectful environment is essential for a successful tournament. Here's a breakdown of some key points: