Chess Down Under

by ChessBase
10/15/2014 – There are many reasons to visit Australia: sunny weather, rich wildlife, incredible beaches, vibrant cities to name just a few. In January there is one more: Chess. From 2-11 January 2015 the Australian Open Chess Championships take place in Sydney. In short: a strong tournament with an impressive prize pool in a fascinating city in an attractive country. Give it a go!

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Press Release

Enterprising young duo breaks Australian Chess Record

For some, chess is an enjoyable pastime spent indoors on a cool summer's day played with family and friends. For others, it's serious business. And serious business it has become as young Sydney duo Kevin Tan and Peter Yang have broken the Australian Chess Record for the biggest prize pool for any chess tournament held in Australia.

Peter Yang

Aboriginal man (left) and Kevin Tan (right) posing for the camera

The Australian Open Chess tournament (not to be confused with the tennis tournament!) is being held 2-11 Jan 2015 at Castle Hill RSL and is attended by a multitude of professional and club players from both Australian and overseas.

Castle Hill Lyceum

Castle Hill

Upon getting given the rights to hold event from the Australian Chess Federation, Peter and Kevin have taken Australian Chess to the next level by promising a massive $25,000 prize pool with $8000 for first place, the largest ever promised for an Australian Chess tournament.

Chess kings in front of Sydney Harbour Brigde

"The $25,000 prize pool for an Australian Chess tournament is huge." Says Kevin Tan, a Chief organiser of the tournament. "Many players including ourselves entered the chess scene with a love for the game but without a way to support ourselves financially by just playing, we were left to our own devices to make money to pay the bills. Now with this record breaking prize pool, we believe we've planted the seeds for an Australian Chess scene that is financially rewarding for the players."

Players of all strengths are eligible to play in the tournament, and with separate prize pools for players based on their chess rating, mostly everyone has a shot of getting a piece of the pie.

Bobby Cheng, Australian Open Champion 2013

13 year old Australian talent IM Anton Smirnov (center) shows his father (left) what he could have done.

Australian GM Ian Rogers (left) doing commentary and talking with GM Igor Khenkin

With the World Chess Championship set to be held in November and a Million dollar prize pool chess tournament being held in Las Vegas a month earlier, Peter and Kevin are riding the wave of chess revolution around the world. Although they think globally, they are acting locally and are currently actively looking for companies and brands to promote at what could be the most attended Australian Chess Open tournament in its history.

More information is available from Kevin Tan at info@ausopenchess.com or the tournament website at ausopenchess.com

Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House

Australia is not densely populated, but looking at Sydney's Bondi Beach on a hot day that is easy to forget

Koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park

Not a participant - definitely dangerous but too lazy to play chess

Kangaroos

More Australian wildlife

Make a move, come to Sydney and take part in the Australian Open

Pictures: Elliott Renzies and Kevin Tan 

Tournament website

Information: Kevin Tan at info@ausopenchess.com

Visit Australia - Australia's Official Tourism Website

Tourist Information by the Australian Government


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