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Weekend Events

Gardiner Chess

The Event Leaders in Queensland

Gardiner Chess prides itself on running first class events which cater to a variety of abilities. Whether a child is looking to play in their first tournament outside of school, through to the top players from Australia and overseas we have an event suitable for everyone. If you are not sure whether an event may be suitable for you/your child please let us know and we will be able to assist.

Gold Coast Open

The Gold Coast Open is the marquee event in Queensland and has become established as one of the elite tournaments in Australia. Gardiner Chess’ aim with the Gold Coast Open is to provide an opportunity for players of all levels to compete with Minor, Major and Premier divisions. Our Premier division goal is to help generate GM and IM Norms for aspiring players, and IA or FA Norms for aspiring arbiters.

The organising team led by Andrew FitzPatrick would love to welcome you to the Gold Coast to compete in this wonderful event, which in 2025 will run from July 10 to 14 at the Broadbeach Cultural Centre.

Upcoming Events

31
May

2025 Term 2 Sunshine Coast One Day Challenge

Sunshine Coast Grammar School Aquatic Centre
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Gardiner Chess is excited to present the Term 2 Sunshine Coast One Day Challenge. This one day rapid event is perfect for juniors of all ages and abilities as there will be two divisions!

The OPEN division is for all rated players and for those trying hard to get a rating. The NOVICE division will be for unrated players only and is perfect for younger or newer players wanting to try a weekend tournament for the first time.

  • When: Saturday, 31st May
  • Where: Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Rooms above the Aquatic Centre
  • Time: 9.30am for registration, starting at 10.00am and finishing approx 4.00pm
  • Cost: $45.00 per player

Other Tournament details are:

  • Time Control: 15 minutes per player + 3 seconds per move
  • Prizes
    • Open: 1st to 3rd place + 3 x Rating Groups
    • Novice: 1st to 3rd + Other trophies
  • All games submitted for Queensland Junior Rating
  • More prizes added pending numbers.
  • Registration will CLOSE on Friday 30th May!!

Come along and give this event a go and have a heap of fun! Parents can hang around and enjoy some sunshine in the outside area or head across the road to the cafe and other eateries!

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07
Jun

2025 Far North Queensland Junior Chess Championships

Trinity Anglican School, Multi Purpose Hall, White Rock Campus
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Gardiner Chess, in conjunction with Trinity Anglican School is delighted to bring you this exciting event – the Far North Queensland Junior Chess Championships! This event is also proudly sponsored by FGF Developments.

The event will be played across one day at a rapid time control with trophies up for grabs for various age categories. On the day there will be two separate divisions, an Open division (all rated players + those trying to get a rating) and a novice division for players who may be a bit younger or less experienced.

  • When: Saturday 7th June
  • Where: Trinity Anglican School, White Rock (Multi Purpose Hall)
  • Time: Registration from 9.30am to 9.45am. Approximate finish will be 3.30pm to 4.00pm.
  • Time Control: 15 minutes + 3 seconds per move added
  • Who: All junior players!
  • Cost: $35 per player
  • Prizes Open: 1st to 3rd + Under 12 1st to 3rd + Girls 1st to 3rd
  • Prizes Novice: 1st to 3rd + 2 x Age bracket prizes determined on day

For any questions, please contact us on [email protected].

A flyer for the event can be found HERE!

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08
Jun

2025 Term 2 Gold Coast Girls

William Duncan SS Hall
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Gardiner Chess is excited to present the Term 2 Gold Coast Girls Tournament. This one day rapid event is perfect for girls of all ages and abilities as there will be two divisions!

The OPEN division is for all rated players and for those trying hard to get a rating. The NOVICE division will be for unrated players only and is perfect for younger or newer girls wanting to try a weekend tournament for the first time.

 

  • When: Sunday, 8th June
  • Where: William Duncan State School (Cnr Explorers Way and Alexander Dr, Highland Park)
  • Time: 9.30am for registration, starting at 10.00am and finishing approx 4.00pm
  • Cost: $45.00 per player

Other Tournament details are:

  • Time Control: 15 minutes per player + 3 seconds per move
  • Prizes
    • Open: 1st to 3rd place + Other Trophies
    • Novice: 1st to 3rd + Other trophies
  • All games submitted for Queensland Junior Rating
  • Registration will CLOSE on Friday 6th June!!

Come along and give this event a go and have a heap of fun! Parents can hang around and enjoy some sunshine in the outside area or head across the road to the cafe and other eateries!

Read More
21
Jun

2025 Gold Coast Junior Championships

William Duncan SS Hall
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

One of the biggest events on the junior calendar is the Gold Coast Junior Championships. This event is split into three different divisions with Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12-18 sections.

Will anybody be able to win both their age group in the Gold Coast Juniors and then back it up in the Queensland Juniors?

  • Divisions:

Under 8 – Saturday 21st June

Under 10 – Sunday 22nd June

Under 12-18 – Both days!

 

  • Where:

William Duncan State School

Corner Explorers Way and Alexander Drive, Highland Park

 

  • Time Controls:

Under 8 and Under 10 – 15 minutes + 3 secs per move

Under 12 to 18 – 30 minutes + 30 secs per move

 

  • Cost:

Under 8 and 10 – $45 per player

Under 12 to 18 – $85 per player

 

  • Prizes:

Under 8 and 10 – trophies for 1st to 3rd as well as best girl. Additional prizes added pending numbers

Under 12 to 18 – trophies for 1st to 3rd in each age group. $300, $200, $100 for 1st to 3rd overall.

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01
Jul

2025 Queensland Junior Championships

Anglican Church Grammar School, Centenary Library
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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 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd 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 1st Wednesday 2nd Thursday 3rd Friday 4th
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.)   9.00pm    
U8 Start 9.30am (R1-8)      
U8 Finish (approx.) 9.00pm      

 

  • 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.
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07
Jul

2025 Sunshine Coast Winter Holiday Program

Sunshine Coast Grammar School Aquatic Centre
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 7th July — Tuesday 8th July, 2025

8:30am – 4:00pm

Where

Sunshine Coast Grammar School

Aquatic Centre – Top Floor Classrooms

 

Cost

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

 

Wednesday is Tournament Day!

Sunshine Coast Winter Cup

When

Wednesday 9th July 2025
(same venue)

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

Cost

$45 per player. No Entries on the day.

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Policies & Procedures

Find all of the relevant event policies here, including our photography policies, supervision policy, etc.

Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures document
Behaviour Management Policy
Behaviour Management Policy Document

Event Results

Check out all the results from previous events. We will have events from this year and last year available, whilst we have archives off-site for other results if required.

Event Registration

Event Name:

Please select registration type
School Registration
School
Individual Registration
Individual
Individual Registration

Registration for individuals is via our iClassPro app, and is only available on selected tournaments.

For all questions please contact our Events team on [email protected]

Teacher & Coordinator Registration

Please Note: This form is for School Teachers and Coordinators ONLY. Individual registration links are available for schools where there is no chess coordinator or official school entries. Please email [email protected] for further information.

Step One: Download the spreadsheet below and complete all details. For all questions please contact our events team on [email protected]

Step Two: Complete the form below and upload the spreadsheet.

School Event Registration

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