Chess Coaching

High quality chess coaching available for schools. Join us to access the top chess coaching group in Queensland!

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Inter-School Tournaments

Join the Official Queensland Inter-School Chess Championships in your region! Running in terms 1-3 in a location near you!

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Fantastic Chess Products

From standard chess sets, to giant chess sets, chess books to chess clocks, we have the products you want at great prices!

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Holiday Programs and Clubs

We run holiday programs in Brisbane and Gold Coast, and also have a weekly club for junior players on the Brisbane Northside.

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What we do

Gardiner Chess

We are the market leaders for chess in Queensland, with our core business to provide chess coaching classes in schools throughout the state. The Chess Association of Queensland has awarded Gardiner Chess the contract as organisers of the Official Queensland Inter-School Chess Championships each year, whilst we run many weekend events which cater to all ages and ability levels.

Check out our online shop for the latest chess goods, specialising in products for schools and recreational play.

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School Programs

We can organise a chess program tailored to your school's needs, ranging from extra-curricular classes, to full and half day options and incursions. In person coaching is available throughout South-East Queensland, whilst we work with regional schools via an online platform Learn More

Events & Tournaments

Renowned for running the best events in Queensland, Gardiner Chess run the Queensland Inter-School Chess Championships and many weekend events, including the marquee Gold Coast Open each year. Learn More

Clubs & Holiday Programs

Holiday programs are always hugely popular and are held in both the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions. Gardiner Chess also runs the Brisbane Northside Junior Chess Club on Tuesday evenings. Learn More

Shop Online

For all your chess needs, make sure to check out our shop! We have everything from tournament sets through to giant sets, chess clocks and books and can even help with prizes and giveaway items! Learn More

School Programs & Coaching

Gardiner Chess is the number one chess coaching organisation in Queensland. We have a variety of programs to suit your school, with options including out of hours classes, curriculum lessons and both full and half day incursions. Based on the Gold Coast since 2002, we are an established business providing quality coaching.

High quality chess lessons tailored for your schools needs.
We have Master level players and qualified teachers on staff.
In-person lessons from Gold Coast through to Sunshine Coast.
Partnership with Chesskid.com to bring more value to programs.
Ability to work with regional schools.

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Upcoming Events

With events available throughout the year, there is an option for everyone! Join 10,000+ other students in the Inter-School events each year or find a weekend event that is right for you with open events and junior only events on offer.

Oct

2025 Gold Coast Spring Cup

Somerset College, Gallus Classrooms

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Cup days provide a great opportunity for students to put into practice what they have been learning at the holiday programs, or for new student to come along and just enjoy a tournament experience!

Students will play a minimum of 7 rounds across the day. Students should bring lunch, snacks, a water bottle and a hat for the day.

When

Thursday 2nd October 2025

Times

Registration from 9:30am
Round 1 @ 10:00am
Finish @ 4:00pm

Where

Somerset College, Gallus Classrooms Upstairs
Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba

Somerset_Drive

Time Control:

15 minutes + 3 seconds per move.

Cost

$45 per player.
No entries on the day

Oct

2025 St Columban’s Invitational

St Columban's College MPC

9:00 am - 2:30 pm

Welcome to the St Columban’s Invitational for 2025.

This event is open to schools from Bracken Ridge (North of Linkfield/Telegraph Road) to Caboolture.

When: Tuesday 14th October
Where: St Columban’s College MPC, entrance via Pettigrew Street
Who: Students from Prep to Year 12.
Time: Registration from 8.45am, start at 9.30am. Finish approx. 2.15pm (allow to 2.30pm)
Cost: $24.00 per player, invoiced to the school post event (Includes GST). Where parents pay directly to Gardiner Chess, the cost is $27.00pp (inc GST).

This event will feature primary and secondary divisions, with players playing individually through the day, whilst generating a team score as well.

Please ensure registration is done either via the website link or by sending an excel spreadsheet to [email protected] no later than Friday 18th October!

As always, if anyone is sick, we please ask them to stay away from the event where possible.

Medals will be awarded for 1st to 3rd individuals and teams in each division, with merit ribbons to those individuals scoring 4.5/7 or higher.

Invoices will be sent to schools after the event takes place.

Please ensure that you have have read all the relevant policies and procedures below before entering the event

Oct

2025 Queensland Girls State Finals

Mansfield State School

9:00 am - 2:30 pm

This tournament is open to players in Primary and Secondary with divisions for each. There are often multiple primary divisions on the day as well.

There is no qualification necessary for this event.

Players will play 7 rounds through the day, with the winning schools of the Primary and Secondary being given the opportunity to represent Queensland at the Australian Schools Teams Championships in December.

When: Friday 17th October 2025
Where: Mansfield State School
Time: Registration from 8.45am to 9.20am. Finish by 2.30pm.
Cost: $24.00 per player, invoiced to schools post event.

Entries to be sent to [email protected] by no later than Tuesday 14th October to enable organisation of equipment and certificates.

Please use street parking as available and leave the school car park for school visitors. The hall is located at the back of the school.

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Holiday Programs

Gardiner Chess holiday programs run from 8.30am to 4.00pm on selected days during the school holidays in both Brisbane and Gold Coast. During the day, students will have the chance to undertake lessons, play tournament matches and enjoy some fresh air. Holiday programs are often followed by a tournament on the final day which is open to all players. Most importantly students will have FUN!

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Throughout the year, as the Chess Teacher at Fernvale State School, I have regular contact with the staff of GardinerChess at the QLD Inter-School Chess events they conduct. They are professional, approachable and knowledgeable. GardinerChess is our ‘go-to’ for all our Chess-related requirements.

Geoff ButlerPosition - Teacher, Fernvale SS

Firstly, chess has taught our students patience, determination, responsibility, strategic thinking and most of all, how to have fun with the game! I now have students asking to play chess at every break and I’m referring to high achieving athletes who would normally prefer a game of soccer or football on the oval. That’s simply sensational!

Tonimaree BrownPosition - Principal, Chelona SS

Secondly, the improvement in students’ concentration has been noted by classroom teachers. Increased engagement in the curriculum and learning opportunities means increased academic results for these students.

Tonimaree BrownPosition - Principal, Chelona SS

Thirdly, the ‘relative gain’ in NAPLAN (Numeracy) from Year 3 to Year 5, has been significantly higher than not only the state, but also the nation. I firmly believe the instruction and opportunities Gardiner Chess provide, has had a direct correlation to these gains.

Tonimaree BrownPosition - Principal, Chelona SS

The tournament was wonderful and perfectly organized for players and spectators. I can only hope NSW could hold such an event before I retire from chess.

Andriy BukreyevPosition - Competitor

The tutors are doing a fabulous job on a Wednesday morning here at Ashgrove. We have a large number of quite young students and the routines put in place, are allowing things to flow really well. The students achieve plenty in the hour they attend. The feeling in the room is so positive and we are certainly seeing interest in Chess grow. Lots of students are also doing weekend tournaments now - making friendships, gaining skills and enjoying the game of Chess.

JodyPosition - Ashgrove SS Coordinator

Chess Coaching

Inter-School Tournaments

Fantastic Chess Products

Holiday Programs and Clubs

What we do