Sydney Chess Champs 2024
With nearly 200 entrants across two divisions (Open and Classic), the inaugural edition of the Sydney Chess Championships was a great success. Held at the venerable, much-esteemed James Ruse Agricultural High School across five days (July 6-10), it was one of the best run, if not the best-run, tournament I’ve attended. The brainchild of Rooty Hill Chess Club dynamo Winston Zhao Chen, the event was held in the school’s barn-like assembly hall, providing plenty of space for all the participants to move freely. Winston also had DGT boards set up for the top boards in both divisions, with games broadcast on Chess.com. International Arbiter Charles Zworestine from the club was the chief arbiter, ably assisted by IA Peter Tsai and Bevan Clouston.
The Open Division was won by FM Hugo de Melo Lux, who scored 7.5/9. Close behind was St George’s own CM Khishigbataar Bayasgalan on 7, a scored also matched by IM Gary Late. Several other St George-affiliated players were also in the mix up until the last round: IM George Xie (6.5); CM Daniel Melamed (6.5); Brendan Anderson (6); FM Clive Ng (6); CMTerrence Tang (6).
The Classic Division was won by Shaheed Faizal, also on 7.5/9, followed by Vicky Qian, Daniil Yelkhovsky and Eric Menezes, all on 7/9.St George three participants were Isaac Wang (4/9); Geoff Hyde (3/9) and Samuel Slingo (2.5/9).