Victorian Team Championship 2011

Before the first round of this event there was a meeting held for captains, players and anyone else who felt like contributing, to raise issues and ask questions about the league structure and rules. The meeting was well attended and held in a completely friendly and non confrontational way. If this atmosphere pervades the tournament as a whole, it will be a most pleasing event for all players involved. The room was filled with a group of people who seemed intent on ensuring fair play, inclusion and friendship rated above convoluted rule sets, large cash prizes and exclusivity. Don't get me wrong, all the teams will be trying their hardest to win their games and their divisions, though this seems primarily motivated by their loyalty to the friends they play with and the clubs or teams they represent.

Saying all this, there are certainly things which need to be addressed and finalised for future years. From a structural point of view:

1. Should the league be determined by match points or individual game points?

2. Division 3 sees a 4 team double round robin with a finals day at the end. Is this preferable to the single round robin which is happening in divisions 1 and 2?

Then from a rules perspective, the issue of postponements and forfeits was raised. This is a difficult area, and it was agreed to try to be as flexible as possible this year. Everyone wants to play all their games. But perhaps these will be issues that needs to be addressed before the 2012 season.


Box Hill Chess Club is a buzz of excitement before the first round of the Victorian Teams Championship (thanks to Elliott Renzies for this photo)

Anyway, the league is up and running and after meeting with Chess Victoria President Leonid Sandler earlier today, I am aware that matches are already being arranged for the June games. Leonid shared my disappointment that last year's Division 2 winners, Geelong have been unable to field a team this year, but he is going to make some enquiries and see if he can help to assemble a team from the West!