Sunday 21 October 2007

GM Coaching Weekend

The ACTJCL (Australian Capital Territory Junior Chess League) held its annual GM coaching weekend yesterday and today. This years titled coaches were GM Ian Rogers, IM Andras Toth, and WFM Cathy Rogers. Also coaching were current Australian Junior Champion Michael Wei, Ian Rout, Mos Ali, Simon Mitchell and Shaun Press.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the water bombing of GM Ian Rogers and the group he was coaching. Deciding to run his session outdoors, they came under attack when a group of local (and bored) youths, climbed onto the roof of the school where the coaching was held, and threw water filled balloons on the unsuspecting group below.
On the Sunday Ian gave a simul against the 40 kids involved in the weekend. Two players defeated Ian (Emma Guo and Yijun Zhang) while he was held to a draw in another 4 games.
The quality of the opposition ranged from near beginner up to national champions, but Ian's reputation didn't stop one players ambitious attempt to mate him in the opening.

Unnamed Junior v GM Rogers
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.Qc3 Bg7 7.Ng5 0-0 8.Qh3?? d5 and Ian went on to win a piece up.

2 comments:

Alana Chibnall said...

Hey! I was in the group getting water-bombed! Not funny!!!

Alana Chibnall said...

Now that I think about the water-bombing incident, it sort of was funny actually...