Joining the Gosford Chess Club
2026 Gosford Chess Club Membership still only $10 ($5 for juniors)
2026 Gosford Chess Club Membership gains complimentary entry* to all chess club events (including social nights) on Tuesday nights including the FIDE rated Gosford Club Blitz and FIDE rated Rapid Club Championships. Coaching opportunities are also made available. Members also become eligible to receive discounts on the Big 3 weekend events at the Central Coast Leagues Club; the Summer Blitz, Winter Rapid, and the Gosford Open.
*entry to Tuesday night ACF rated tournaments requires adult members to join the NSWCA.
Note: Committee Members are bound by the 2026 Committee Member Code of Conduct which has strict limitations on the use of member’s personal information.
2026 Central Coast Leagues Club Chess Club Code of Conduct (Members)
Central Coast Leagues Club Chess Club is also known as the Gosford Chess Club.
This Code of Conduct attempts to support and provide guidance to Gosford Chess Club members.
1. Respect
Respect: Everyone at the Chess Club is expected to display a common level of respect and civility towards all Gosford Chess Club’s members and guests.
Harassment: No harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on age, gender, race, cultural background or skill level or other factor irrelevant to the game. Harassment, for whatever reason, is unacceptable.
Courtesy: Use polite language and avoid offensive gestures or demeaning comments.
Arbiters: We could not play the game or run Gosford Chess Club without them. Players will respect the final decisions of the arbiters and tournament directors. Abuse of arbiters is unacceptable behaviour.
Club Officials (such as members of the Committee): Club officials run the Gosford Chess Club on a volunteer basis, so please treat them accordingly. Abuse of officials is unacceptable behaviour.
2. Sportsmanship & Fair Play
Greetings: Start and end every game with a handshake, fist bump, or respectful gesture such as a nod.
Graceful Results: Be a gracious winner and a respectful loser; avoid gloating or visible outbursts.
No Cheating: Strict prohibition on the use of engines, mobile phones, or external advice during active play.
Rules of Play: Adhere to FIDE Laws of Chess. This includes the "touch-move" rule (if you touch a piece, you must move it). Players are expected to learn the proper way to record moves, use the clock, offer draws, adjust their pieces, and summon the arbiter. (See 2026 Club FAQ below for some of these common playing procedures).
Calling for an Arbiter: You have the right to pause your own clock and raise your hand during a game to summon an arbiter. This is the best way to handle distractions or disputes or if you are unsure of rules and procedures during the game.
3. Playing Environment
Silence: Maintain a quiet atmosphere to allow for concentration.
Distractions: Avoid distracting your opponent by talking, making noises, or other such distractions while games are in progress. If your opponent is distracting you and does not stop when you ask them, consider requesting the arbiter.
Spectator Conduct: Observers must remain silent and never point out mistakes, illegal moves, or flag falls. They must maintain a reasonable distance from the board.
Facility Respect: Treat equipment (clocks, boards, sets) with care and help set up or pack away after sessions.
4. Juniors (Under 18s)
Supervision: Juniors should be always supervised by an adult and leave the premises by 10pm.
Duty of Care: Gosford Chess Club members are held to a higher standard when it comes to playing against children. This includes role modelling respectful behaviour, being mindful of language, and being patient with them if they don't understand a rule.
5. Logistics & Attendance
Punctuality: Arrive on time for scheduled rounds to avoid forfeits.
Communication: Notify organizers as early as possible if you cannot attend a round so pairings can be adjusted.
6. Bringing the Game of Chess into Disrepute
Consequences: While not every circumstance can be addressed, this code seeks to identify general areas of conduct which are inappropriate and liable to disciplinary action being taken by the Gosford Chess Club. The nature of the disciplinary action may vary depending on the deemed level of misconduct. It may range (but not limited to) an informal reminder, forfeit of a chess game or removal from a tournament. Repeated or serious violations may be seen as a breaching the terms of Gosford Chess Club membership.
The Central Coast Leagues Club: Gosford Chess Club members are also members of Central Coast Leagues Club and are expected to abide by all rules of the Central Coast Leagues Club which has the authority to remove members from the venue.
External Chess Events: It is expected that Gosford Chess Club players also adhere to the Code of Conduct when representing the Gosford Chess Club at external chess events.
Ensure that you are a current member of the Central Coast Leagues Club ($10/year)
Read the Code of Conduct for members.
Click the link to pay $10 online at trybooking.
To play in any ACF rated tournament you must join the NSWCA (Country Membership $10).
By arrangement on a Tuesday night.
Yes. You can come and watch or even play social games.
If you decide to play in a Tuesday night rated tournament you must join the Central Coast Leagues Club, the Gosford Chess Club and the NSWCA.
2026 Club FAQ
How to summon an Arbiter:
If your clock is running pause it and raise your hand. Otherwise just raise your hand.
How to use the Clock:
A player must use the same hand used to move or capture a piece to push the clock.
Adjusting your Pieces:
Say out loud “I adjust” or “J'adoube” before adjusting you or your opponent’s pieces. Adjusting pieces should only be done in your time not your opponents.
How to offer a Draw
To offer a draw... (the order matters)
Make your move
Ask 'draw?'
Push the clock
Write it in your score sheet as '=' after your move to show the draw offer.
Your opponent does not have to reply straight away. Your opponent thinks about it in their own time.
If they say 'yes'; shake hands; it is a draw. Write ‘Draw agreed’ on your score sheet.
If they say 'no thank you'; play goes on.
Your opponent may completely ignore you and make their next move; play goes on. This is not rude.
They can't accept that draw offer later unless you issue it again.
President: Colin R
Vice-President: Rod
Secretary: Braiden
Treasurer: Rowan
Committee: Rick, Patrick C, Joel, Alexander, and Al
Note: Committee Members are bound by the 2026 Committee Member Code of Conduct which has strict limitations on the use of member’s personal information.
Welcome.
The Gosford Chess Club is about supporting chess players of all ages and skill levels on the NSW Central Coast.
Well attended Tuesday tournaments, over a range of time controls, provides members a club and social experience while gaining the opportunity to become rated players.
Chess960 and other variants as well as social nights create interest in the club.
Coaching is a major focus as we attempt to lift the ability levels of all players.
The 2026 Gosford Club Rapid Championship and the 2026 Gosford Club Blitz Championship are both ACF and FIDE rated.
The Gosford Chess Club in 2026 will host the “Big 3” chess tournaments at the Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford; the Summer Blitz (Feb 28) the Winter Rapid (TBA); both ACF Quick and FIDE rated. The Gosford Open (Nov 7,8) has a Classical time control and will be ACF rated.
The Big 3 provides the opportunity for Gosford Chess Club members to play locally in a larger setting against players from other regions, over a range of time controls. This further provides rating opportunities for chess players on the NSW Central Coast. It is hoped the Big 3 becomes a tradition.
In 2025 the club finished with a membership of 80 including 15 juniors.
On March 20, 2026 the club has 49 members.
We will also have two Club Challenge's in 2026; against Ettalong Chess Club and against Norths.
We maintain an active Facebook page.
Colin Rowlison
(President Gosford Chess Club)
Email: gsparra@gmail.com
White sets with extra Queens: 34
Folding Boards: 34
Pink Sets: 11 sets and 11 mats.
Clocks: 24 DGT
This can be found at the following link. Facebook required.