New ways to compete at South West Chess Festival

Chess lovers, mark your calendars – the 2024 South West Chess Festival will take place on September 14 and 15 at the Margaret River Community Centre, promising two days of strategic battles and friendly competition.

This year’s festival features two tournaments – the traditional South West Open and the new South West Rapid.

The Open, an Australian Chess Federation (ACF) rated event, doubles as the WA Country Championship, awarding the title to the highest-scoring WA player outside Perth.

The South West Rapid caters to players rated under 1500 or unrated. It’s perfect for newcomers to tournaments to try out over-the-board chess where there’s no need to record moves.

This inclusive approach opens the door for more people to experience the excitement of competitive play, learn from the experts, and enjoy the fun of the game.

“The traditional Saturday night evening at a local pub is a bit of a bonus too! It’s a great opportunity for everyone to catch up outside the tournament,” CAWA GP Coordinator Ian McAteer said,

It’s one of the few organised tournaments in the South West, with players from Bunbury, Albany, Collie, Busselton, and Margaret River taking part.

“It’s a game that truly knows no age or physical limitations.”

Entry fees for the Open are $60 and $30 for the Rapid, with online registration available until September 13.

To register, visit (Open) www.trybooking.com/CRBZB (Rapid) www.trybooking.com/CRXQR