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Holiday Programs & Clubs

Gardiner Chess

Holiday Programs

Gardiner Chess run holiday programs in two locations: Brisbane and Gold Coast. Programs run from 8.30am through to 4.00pm and consists of 3-4 lessons each day where new concepts are learnt, plus tournament games and a chance to get fresh air!

Our holiday programs are a lot of fun, and a great way for kids to learn more about chess in a relaxed and engaging setting.

Holiday Programs

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
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

How To Get Involved In Clubs and Extension Programs

Gardiner Chess currently runs several junior clubs in South-East Queensland.

The Brisbane Northside club runs from 6.00pm to 8.00pm every Tuesday night during term time at Nudgee College on Sandgate Road. Each night consists of students enjoying a combination of coaching sessions and playing time. The club also has different tournaments from time to time including their ACF rated club championship.

We have also added an extension group for Brisbane South on Thursday afternoons at Wishart State School from 4.15pm to 5.30pm headed up by FM Dusan Stojic! We will be running two groups with the aim of extending students with further coaching so this group is invite only. If you are interested, please contact us via [email protected].

On the Gold Coast we currently run a club out of our office on Mondays. This is invite only and runs from 4.15pm to 5.30pm. Please contact us if you are interested at all.

External clubs are a great way for students to meet new friends and be challenged by stronger players from different schools.

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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