Oceania Zonal with live commentary

Being a World Cup qualifying event, it's is probably the most important chess tournament in Queensland, Australia for at least 10 years. Virtually all the top players are competing for that long trip to Khanty-Mansiysk later this year, and GM Ian Rogers provides live commentary during the rounds.

The tournament is held in the beautiful Outrigger Twin Towns Resort

Oceania Zonal 2009

June 20-26 in the Visions Conference Room at the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, Tweed Heads, Gold Coast on the Queensland/NSW border








The new king of Australian Chess, GM Zong Yuan Zhao will be replacing the old king of Australian chess, GM Ian Rogers, who held that title for some 25 years (Rogers is be present to commentate and front the media). Zong Yuan will not have things all his own way however, as David Smerdon, holding four GM norms, who only finalised his GM title recently by passing the 2500 mark, will give him a hard fight.

Unfortunately, two big names of chess in the region are missing, GMs Murray Chandler of New Zealand, and Darryl Johansen of Australia. Otherwise, virtually all the top players are playing. It's an open field of around 80 and about 20 in the women.



Whatever happened to WIM Arianne Caoili of 'Dancing with the Stars' fame? Well she's been getting on with her uni studies, continuing to date world number five Armenian star Levon Aronian, victim of the famous dance floor punch in Turin, and travelling the world... and is playing in the zonal. She will be trying very hard to defeat the top seed in the Women's event, IM Irina Berezina. Irina has done very well in Australia since recovering from the infamous 1997 Maccabiah Games bridge collapse.

Troubled nation Fiji is well represented. Papua New Guinea is present, as will smaller nations such as Palau and Solomon Islands who have never been represented at this event before. It will be interesting to talk with their players, and discuss chess in their countries.

FIDE Secretary-General Ignatius Leong will be making his first visit to the region, and is keen to talk with as many players, coaches, arbiters, parents and administrators as possible.



Thanks to Graeme Gardiner for providing the info

Links

• Tournament website
• LIVE COMMENTARY by GM Ian Rogers
• Live blogging by the Closet Grandmaster