Building Mental Muscles

Louise Dana – Kacey Rowe
Interschool – Outer East Zone

A very important rule: Always move your pieces off the back rank ! This is called “developing”.

I will attempt show some of the interesting games from the Australian Junior. The first is a not-so-good game, but one that was fun.

Youakim, James – Heyward, Will

1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Nf3 g5 5.h3 Bg3# 0-1

A simple opening trap. But a fun game if you are Black!

The Australian Junior Championships were held in Hervey Bay, the stepping stone to Fraser Island, in Queensland. 23 Victorian players made the long trip to compete in the two week tournament. It was a fantastic experience for all of them. For many it was the first time that they had the opportunity to play games which were considered serious and lasted so long. In the Under 12s the games lasted anywhere up to 4 hours, and in the Under 18s they could go for up to 6 hours per game! Most Victorian children travelled up with parents to make a nice family holiday. Some didn’t, and for them it was a nice holiday from their family!

There has never been a more active time in Victoria for junior chess.