{"id":848,"date":"2014-01-02T21:11:46","date_gmt":"2014-01-02T11:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doubleroo.com.au\/blog\/?p=848"},"modified":"2018-01-15T21:23:16","modified_gmt":"2018-01-15T11:23:16","slug":"australian-chess-championship-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.doubleroo.com.au\/blog\/2014\/01\/australian-chess-championship-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Chess Championship round 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\nThis year we are contesting the national championship in the south of Melbourne in a suburb called Noble park. How it got it’s name is a mystery to me but there are some bright spots. Never have I seen so many Asian restaurants in one area. I feel like I am in Petaling street, Kuala Lumpur…..out of tourist season.<\/p>\n

The venue is also very nice. The playing hall is huge, as is the analysis room and there is even a canteen. The organisers have even thought to provide water for the players. No complaints.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIt was nice to run into some Queenslanders before the round. I am bestowing honorary Queensland status to David Lovejoy as he lives just south of the border and plays in lots of our events. The Wellers are chess gypsy’s and one cannot be surprised to see them anywhere. <\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOur President Gary Wastell giving another of his rousing speeches at the opening ceremony. Copyright concerns prevent me from giving the full transcript.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nNot for the first time I started with an egg. My last loss against a significantly lower rated player was also with the English defense [ Nelson ]. I may have to give it a rest for a while. Not that the opening itself was a disaster for me. I was happily wandering along “Fantasy lane”, sense of danger at the beach, when my opponent surprised me with 20.Bc6. It had not occured to me that he would give up the light squared bishop. 19…Rd8 preparing d6 and black should be fine. Oh well, the rest of the tournament will show me if it is time to retire or not.<\/div>\n