Ballarat Junior Chess Club Holiday Program – September 2026
About
Ballarat Junior Chess Club Holiday Activities – 22nd & 28th-30th September 2026About
Ballarat Junior Chess Club Holiday Activities consists of the Winter Cup, a 7-round Swiss tournament, and a three-day chess program for junior players of all abilities, from complete beginners through to advanced tournament players.
The program will be led by FIDE Master Simon Rutherford and Scott Stewart, with a mixture of coaching, practical activities, tournaments and fun chess challenges.
Something for Everyone
Beginners are very welcome — students don't need prior tournament experience to take part. Activities can be adapted to different playing levels, and we especially encourage children who are new to chess to come along and develop their skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Advanced junior players will also be challenged, through more difficult calculation exercises, endgame positions, tournament play and the opportunity to work with an experienced FIDE Master.
Whether a student has just learned how the pieces move or is already competing in tournaments, the aim is for everyone to learn something new, play plenty of chess and have fun.
Program Focus
The program develops the skills that help juniors become stronger, more confident players, including:
Thinking carefully before moving.
Reducing blunders and oversights.
Calculating variations.
Recognising threats and candidate moves.
Making sensible middlegame decisions.
Improving endgame technique.
Managing thinking time.
Learning how to analyse their own games.
Playing practical tournament chess.
Rather than simply playing games all day, students will take part in activities designed to make them think about how they play chess.
Activities
Thinking & Blunder Avoidance
Students take part in activities such as the 30-second thinking challenge, candidate-move exercises, "Checks, Captures and Threats," and blunder-spotting challenges — including exercises where they must identify their opponent's best response before making their own move.
Middlegame Decision Making
Students work through positions with no single obvious move, considering questions such as:
What is my opponent threatening?
What is my worst-placed piece?
Should I exchange pieces?
Should I attack or improve my position?
What pawn break should I play?
What are my candidate moves?
What is my plan?
Endgame Training
Endgames feature prominently, including practical endgame positions and a tournament in which students play with different combinations of minor pieces.
Tournaments
Several opportunities to play tournament-style chess, with different formats and themes used throughout the program.
Schedule
Winter Cup — Tuesday 22 September 10am - 3pm
A standalone 7-round tournament held in the Hooper Room, open to junior players of all abilities.
Holiday Chess Activities — 28–30 September 10am - 3pm each day
A three-day program held in the Humffray Room, Monday to Wednesday. Each day combines coaching and practical activities with plenty of opportunities to play. Activities and tournament formats vary day to day, so students attending multiple days experience a broad range of chess activities.
Dates, Venue & Cost
Winter Cup
Tuesday 22 September
Hooper Room
$50
Holiday Chess Activities
Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 September
Humffray Room
$50 per day or $135 for a three day bundle
Places are limited — early registration is recommended.
Coaches
FM Simon Rutherford
FIDE Master Simon Rutherford is an experienced chess player and coach who has worked extensively with junior players.
Scott Stewart
Scott Stewart is Head Coach of the Ballarat Junior Chess Club and has extensive experience coaching and organising junior chess programs and tournaments. FIDE Titles Lead School Instructor (2022)
School Instructor (2022)
Code of Conduct & Important Information
Who Can Attend
Open to junior chess players under 18, from complete beginners through to advanced tournament players. All participants are expected to contribute to a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment.
Supervision & Staying at the Venue
Students must remain within the Ballarat Chess Club rooms for the entire program, including during lunch and other breaks, unless the organiser has given permission to leave.
Toilets are on the second floor and students may use them independently.
Students may only leave the venue with another parent or authorised adult if this has been arranged with the organiser beforehand.
Students must not play, sit or congregate on the stairs.
Collection of Students
At the end of each day, parents/guardians must come inside the club rooms and collect their child directly from a coach — students will not be permitted to leave independently.
If a parent or guardian is delayed, the student will remain supervised by coaches until collected.
Please make every effort to collect students promptly at the advertised finishing time.
Behaviour & Conduct
The same standards expected at the Ballarat Junior Chess Club apply throughout the Holiday Activities. Students are expected to:
Behave respectfully towards coaches, other students, parents and venue staff.
Follow the instructions of coaches and organisers.
Avoid disruptive behaviour and not run inside the venue.
Not use inappropriate or offensive language.
Respect other students and allow them to participate without unnecessary interruption.
Remain within the designated club rooms and stay off the stairs.
Treat chess equipment, furniture and the Mechanics Institute premises with care.
Leave their playing area clean and reset boards/equipment after use.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
Chess Conduct
Students are expected to:
Follow the instructions of coaches and the rules of chess during games and activities.
Show respect to their opponents, including shaking hands or otherwise showing good sportsmanship before and after games where appropriate.
Not interfere with another student's game or activity.
Accept the decisions of coaches and organisers.
Not engage in arguments or disruptive behaviour over moves, results or game decisions.
Mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices must not be used during chess activities unless specifically authorised by a coach.
Food & Lunch
Students should bring their own healthy lunch, snacks and a water bottle each day.
Food and drinks should only be consumed during designated breaks unless a coach permits otherwise.
Students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and leaving eating areas tidy.
For allergy and food-safety reasons, students must not share food or drinks with other students.
Equipment & Venue
Students are expected to treat all chess equipment (sets, clocks, boards) and the Ballarat Mechanics Institute rooms, furniture and other property with care. At the end of activities, students should leave their playing area tidy and reset boards and equipment as instructed by the coaches.
Disruptive Behaviour & Disciplinary Action
If a student engages in disruptive or inappropriate behaviour, a verbal warning will normally be given in the first instance.
If the behaviour continues, or is considered sufficiently serious, the student's parent or guardian will be contacted and required to collect them from the program.
Serious misconduct may result in immediate removal from the program without a prior warning.
Organisers reserve the right to refuse participation in future sessions where a student's behaviour is incompatible with the safe and respectful operation of the program.
Working Together
We want the Holiday Activities to be enjoyable for every participant, whether attending their first chess activity or an experienced tournament player. By following these guidelines, students, parents and coaches can work together to create a positive environment where juniors can learn, play, improve and enjoy chess.
Contact
Scott Stewart
Ballarat Junior Chess Club
0410 052 134
Dates
Tuesday 22 September 2026 - Wednesday 30 September 2026 (UTC+10)Location
Ballaarat Mechanics Institute - Humffray Room - Level 4
117-119 Sturt Street , Ballarat Central VIC 3350
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Ballarat Junior Chess Club Holiday Program – September 2026
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