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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

10
Aug

2025 Term 3 Brisbane One Day Challenge

Mt Gravatt Bowls Club, Carson Room
8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Gardiner Chess is excited to present the Term 3 Brisbane 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: Sunday, 10th August
  • Where: Mt Gravatt Bowls Club, Carson Room.
  • 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 8th August!!

Come along and give this event a go and have a heap of fun! Parents can hang around.

Read More
17
Aug

2025 Term 3 Gold Coast One Day Challenge

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

Gardiner Chess is excited to present the Term 3 Gold 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: Sunday 17th August
  • 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 + 2 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 15th August!!

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
30
Aug

2025 Term 3 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, 30th August
  • 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 29th August!!

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
20
Sep

2025 Nell van de Graaff Classic

William Duncan SS Hall
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One of Queensland’s most prestigious weekenders!

 

The Nell Van de Graaff Classic is held yearly to celebrate Nell Van de Graaff and her passion for chess. This event is also unique in that whilst it is an individual tournament, players will also be able to compete as part of a team. Team rating averages must be under 1500 ACF in the Open and 850 QJ in the junior. Teams can be advised in advance, or we can help put you in a team on the day (Arbiters will work to make team averages as competitive as possible, however cannot guarantee all teams a realistic chance at team prizes).

Players must record their moves during their game.

Players must be members of the Chess Association of Queensland to participate.

 

2 Divisions!
Open Division (Open to adults and juniors).
Junior U1200 QJ (Players with a QJ rating under 1200).

 

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September

Where

William Duncan State School Hall

Cnr Alexander Drive and Explorers Way.

 

More Details TBC

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23
Nov

2025 Term 4 Gold Coast One Day Challenge

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

Gardiner Chess is excited to present the Term 4 Gold 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: Sunday, 23rd November
  • 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 + 2 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 21st November!!

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

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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