The 2026 Gosford Winter Rapid will be held on Saturday 27th of June, 2026.

2026 Gosford Winter Rapid Flyer

2026 Gosford Winter Rapid Open

2026 Gosford Winter Rapid Open Tournament

When: Saturday 27th of June 2026

Entries Close: Friday 26th of June 2026, 11.59pm.

Where: Central Coast Leagues Club, Dane Drive Gosford. Parkview Room

Chief Organiser: Colin Rowlison Organiser: Rowan Rapisarda

Enquiries: gsparra@gmail.com

Chief Arbiter: Patrick Christie

Arbiter: Braiden Cox

Rated: FIDE Rapid and ACF Quick.

Note: To enter this tournament, you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or have a FIDE id. Adult players from NSW must be members of the NSWCA or join on the day. Interstate adult players must be members of their state association.

Entry Fee:

Adults: $30 Concession: $25 Juniors: $25

(Free entry GM’s, WGM’s, IM’s and WIM’s. Please email the organiser before Friday 26th of Jun 2026 before 9pm)

Gosford Chess Club Members $10 discount.

Concession includes Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card [not Seniors Card], Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Veteran Card, Full Time Student Card.

Payment: https://www.trybooking.com/DKJDJ

Time Control: 15 minutes plus 10 second increment from move 1

Rounds: 7

Half Point Byes: Two with notice but not in Rounds 6 or 7.

Registration Opens - 9:30 am (Please ensure you register at the DOPs table to ensure your Round 1 game).

Round 1 - 10:00 am

(Note: The starting times of Rounds 2-7, lunch, and prize giving time may vary)

Round 2 - 10:45 am Round 3 - 11:30 am Round 4 - 12:15 pm

Lunch Break - 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm - 45 minutes

Round 5 - 1.45 pm Round 6 - 2.30 pm Round 7 - 3:15 pm

Prize Giving and Presentation – 4:20pm

Prizes:

The organisers reserve the right to increase or decrease the prize amounts and the number of ratings bands depending upon the number of entries.

(Note: The following prize amounts below totalling $1000 are guaranteed for 50 entries or more).

Open Division

1st - $250 2nd - $150 3rd - $100

Ratings Band 1 (Unrated players may not win a prize in this division)

1st - $90 2nd - $50

Ratings Band 2 (Unrated players may not win a prize in this division)

1st - $90 2nd - $50

Ratings Band 3 (Unrated players may not win a prize in this division)

1st - $90 2nd - $50

Best Junior - $50 Best unrated Player - $30

The Fine Print

A player’s rating will be the rating found on the most recent ACF Quick Rating Vega file. If no rating can be found on the ACF Quick Rating Vega file then a player’sFIDE Rapid rating will be used; otherwise, the player will be deemed to be unrated. The players rating found by the preceding method will be the players rating used for pairing and for prizes. In addition to the Open division the organisers will form 3 (or more) rating bands based on players ratings. These bands will be posted before Round 5. The Open Division will have prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The 3 (or more) additional rating bands will have 1st and 2nd prizes awarded in each. No tiebreaks: prizes will be shared in the usual way. Except for Best Junior a player may only win one prize. Unrated players cannot win any ratings band prizes, but are eligible for the Open, Junior and Unrated prizes. Consuming alcoholic drinks at the actual chess board is discouraged. The Central Coast Leagues Club requires acceptable photo ID for adults. Under 18s should always be supervised. Under no account are Under 18s permitted to leave the playing area without adult supervision. Outside food and drink should not be brought and consumed inside the Club.

2025 Gosford Winter Rapid Open

The Gosford Winter Rapid Open is the second of the Big 3 tournaments hosted by Gosford Chess Club at the Central Coast Leagues Club.

“Oh yeah – it was fantastic!” – Richard Addison “The smoothest chess tournament ever” – Braiden Cox

We welcomed 65 players on the day, with 221 chess games played across seven intense rounds. The tournament hall was abuzz with the energy of players and spectators, some experiencing a chess tournament for the very first time.

Participants came from all across New South Wales and were thoroughly impressed by the professional playing conditions and welcoming atmosphere.

A huge thank-you to the Central Coast Leagues Club for their generous support, providing not only the venue but also refreshments throughout the day – the tea and biscuits were a hit!

The tournament was convincingly won by the talented youngster FM Reyaansh Chakrabarty, who delivered a flawless performance with a perfect 7/7 score.

Gosford Chess Club members had a strong showing. The up-and-coming Jack Addison drew with CM Jean Rusakov and claimed equal second in the U1600. Also playing were Rod, Flynn, Darryl, Joshua, Michael, Ben, Richard, Shane, Alistair, Allen, Colin, Rowan, Lenny, Nelum, Patrick M, Alex, Samarjeet and Partap. Congratulations to all other prize winners.

As with every successful event, it would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the entire Gosford Chess Club Committee.

Assistant Organiser: President Colin

Directors of Play: Rick & Braiden

Photographer: Jackson

Treasurer: Allen

And of course, Rod, Rowan, Joel, and Leonard, who each played a crucial role behind the scenes.

Special thanks to Gary for his support and provision of key resources.

We are proud of what we achieved together – and we’re already looking forward to the final tournament in the Big 3 series later this year.

Report: Patrick Christie (Gosford Chess Club Committee Member)

Patrick has done a short analysis of Reyaansh's game against Bayasgalan in round 6 from the FM's perspective, with some easy to understand ideas in the Exchange French and in general. Check it out!