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.

Jun

2025 Gold Coast Winter Holiday Program

Somerset College, Gallus Classrooms

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Students will be able to learn new strategies, play over famous games of chess, take on challenging puzzles, and play tournament games.

Coaching will be available to all levels from beginner through to tournament player.

Students should bring their lunch and snacks, water bottle and a HAT!

When

Monday 30th June — Wednesday 2nd July, 2025

8:30am – 4:00pm

Where

Somerset College, Galus Classrooms Upstairs
Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba

Somerset_Drive

Cost

$70 per child per day, $130 for two days, or $180 for all three days.
$10 late fee on the day

Thursday is Tournament Day!
Gold Coast Winter Cup

When

Thursday 3rd July 2025
(same venue)

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

Cost

$45 per player. No Entries on the day.

Jul

2025 Queensland Junior Championships

Anglican Church Grammar School, Centenary Library

Gardiner Chess is proud to be able to present the 2025 Queensland Junior Chess Championships. This prestigious event brings together the top junior players in Queensland to battle it out across 8 rounds of competition to see who will be crowned the State Champion.

When: Tuesday 1st July to Friday 4th July
Where: Anglican Church Grammar (Churchie), Centenary Library, upstairs.
Who: For players who are under 18 years of age, or turn 18 in 2025 (e.g. born in 2007 or later)
What: 8 round Swiss format
Time Control:
- Under 18 – 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move
- Under 12 – 60 minutes + 10 seconds per move
- Under 10 – 25 minutes + 10 seconds per move
- Under 8 – 15 minutes + 10 seconds per move
Cost: No Entries will be accepted on the day
- Under 18 – $120.00 before or on 22nd June, $140.00 after.
- Under 12 – $80.00 before or on 22nd June, $90.00 after.
- Under 10 – $50.00 before or on 22nd June. $60.00 after.
- Under 8 – $50.00 before or on 22nd June, $60.00 after.
Rating: The event will be FIDE (U18 Only), ACF (U18 and U12 Only) and QJ rated.

Prize Money	1^st Place	2^nd Place	3^rd Place	Best Girl
Under 18	$600	$300	$250	$250
Under 16	$300	$150	$100
Under 14	$300	$150	$100
Under 12	$200	$150	$100	$100
Under 10	$150	$100	$75	$75
Under 8	$150	$100	$75	$75

Schedule	Tuesday 1^st	Wednesday 2^nd	Thursday 3^rd	Friday 4^th
U18 R 1/3/5/7	9.30am	9.30am	9.30am	9.00am
U18 R 2/4/6/8	2.30pm	2.30pm	2.30pm	2.00pm
U12 Start			9.30am (R1-4)	9.00am (R5-8)
U12 Finish (approx.)			6.00pm	5.30pm
U10 Start		9.30am (R1-8)
U10 Finish (approx.)		6.00pm
U8 Start	9.30am (R1-8)
U8 Finish (approx.)	4.30pm

CAQ Membership:

It is a requirement of entry that all players are CAQ financial members. Please see here to join / check your membership.

Other Information:

The playing area is reserved for players, arbiters, and approved guests.
Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children in all external areas.
There will be an analysis room available for all players.
There will be a room available for parents as well.
There is an onsite cafe which will be open the majority of the time.
No food is to be brought into the library.
There are multiple areas outside of the library to sit and enjoy the fresh air.
All participants, parents, and spectators are bound by the Chess Association Code of Conduct.
Any hostility towards staff will not be tolerated and may lead to removal from events, reporting to CAQ and ongoing bans.

Jul

2025 Gold Coast Winter 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 3rd July 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

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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