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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

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!

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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

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Gardiner Chess is delighted to present the 2025 Queensland Junior Championships. The event is split into four divisions which are outlined below.

Regardless of the event, there are several very important points relevant to all events.

  1. All players MUST be members of the Chess Association of Queensland, prior to taking part in the event. If a player is not a member, they will not be paired. It is up to the participant’s family to organise this well in advance. For a current membership list, please see here.
  2. No parents or spectators will be allowed inside the playing area.
  3. All participants, parents and spectators are bound by the Chess Association Code of Conduct.
  4. Any abuse of Gardiner Chess staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

 

Divisions:

  • Under 8 Division

For all players born in 2017 or later. Held on Tuesday 1st July. QJ Rated.

  • Under 10 Division

For all players born in 2015 or later. Held on Wednesday 2nd July. QJ Rated.

  • Under 12 Division

For all players born in 2013 or later. Held over two days, Thursday 3rd July and Friday 4th July. ACF and QJ Rated.

  • Under 14 to 18 Division

For all players born in 2007 or later. Held across four days, Tuesday 1st to Friday 4th July. FIDE, ACF and QJ Rated.

 

Other Information:

All other information TBC

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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

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.

On the Gold Coast we currently run two little clubs out of our office. Mondays are for 600+ QJ cohort and Tuesday for a 500-600 cohort at this stage. Both clubs run from 4.00pm 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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