♟️ Victorian Junior Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026

📅 Dates

Saturday, 3 October 2026 – State Juniors Rapid Championship
Sunday, 4 October 2026 – State Juniors Blitz Championship
 

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📍 Venue

Bacchus Marsh Grammar – Maddingley Campus
37 South Maddingley Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340

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🚀 Event Highlights

• 🌟 First time held in Melbourne’s West
• ⚡ First-ever Victorian Junior Blitz Championship
• ♟️ FIDE Rated for U12–U18 sections
• 📡 DGT live boards for featured games
• 🛍️ Vendor showcase: ChessNut & ChessLife
• 🏛️ Attendance by Members of Parliament and media coverage

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🧭 Getting There

 

🚗 By Car (Recommended)

• ~40 mins from Melbourne CBD via Western Freeway (M8)
• ~25 mins from Werribee, Point Cook, Tarneit, Caroline Springs
• ✅ Ample on-site parking with easy drop-off zones
• ✅ Minimal congestion compared to metro venues

 

🚆 By Public Transport

• V/Line (Ballarat Line)
• 🚉 Bacchus Marsh Station (~5 min walk)
• ~35–45 mins from Southern Cross Station

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🚸 Junior Drop-off Information

• Plenty of street parking available
• Entry via Gate 1, S Maddingley Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340
• Parents/visitors permitted inside
• Players will be guided to playing rooms
• Parents may collect children after each round

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♟️ Event Format (Swiss System)

Section	Format	Rating	Date
U8 & U10 Rapid	9 rounds · 13+2	ACF Quick	3 Oct
U12–U18 Rapid	9 rounds · 13+2	FIDE Rapid ACF Quick	3 Oct
U8 & U10 Blitz	11 rounds · 3+2	ACF Quick	4 Oct
U12–U18 Blitz	11 rounds · 3+2	FIDE Blitz + ACF Quick	4 Oct

 

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🕒 Schedule (Indicative – subject to change)

 

⚡ Rapid – Saturday, 3 October 2026

Time	Activity
8:45 – 9:30	Registration & Check-in
9:30 – 10:00	Opening Ceremony
10:00 – 10:10	Arbiter Briefing
10:10 – 10:50	Round 1
11:00 – 11:40	Round 2
11:50 – 12:30	Round 3
12:30 – 1:10	Round 4
1:10 – 1:50	Lunch Break
1:50 – 2:30	Round 5
2:40 – 3:20	Round 6
3:30 – 4:10	Round 7
4:20 – 5:00	Round 8
5:10 – 5:50	Round 9
~6:00	Prize Giving

 

 

 

⚡ Blitz – Sunday, 4 October 2026

Time	Activity
8:45 – 9:30	Registration & Check-in
9:30 – 9:40	Arbiter Briefing
9:45 – 11:15	Rounds 1–6
11:15 – 11:45	Break
11:45 – 1:00	Rounds 7–11
1:40	Prize Giving

 

 

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⚙️ Tournament Details

• Rapid: 9 rounds · 13+2
• Blitz: 11 rounds · 3+2
• Seeding: ACF Quick → FIDE rating → Arbiter’s discretion

 

Rating

• U8 & U10: ACF Quick Rated only
• U12+:
  • Rapid: FIDE Rapid + ACF Quick
  • Blitz: FIDE Blitz + ACF Quick

 

FIDE ID for U12- U18

• Valid FIDE ID required for FIDE rating.
• If you have no FIDE ID and
• you are Non-citizen/non-PR players/ NZ citizens- You must obtain FIDE ID via home federation be eligible to play
• you are citizen/ PR players- we will register you with Australian Chess Federation
• If you are not sure, immediately email use at major_tournaments@hobsonsbaychess.com. 

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🏆 Titles & Divisions

 

Divisions

• Open: U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18
• Girls: U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18

 

Key Notes

• Girls may play Open OR Girls (not both)
• Players may play up in higher age groups

 

Additional Prizes

• 🎖️ Non-title medals (e.g. odd age group categories)
• 🏅 Up to 72 total prizes
• 📜 Certificates of participation available

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📅 Age Eligibility (2026)

• U18: Born 2008 or later
• U16: Born 2010 or later
• U14: Born 2012 or later
• U12: Born 2014 or later
• U10: Born 2016 or later
• U8: Born 2018 or later

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👨‍👩‍👧 Important Notes

• U8 & U10 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
• Sections may be merged if required (ACF rules)
• Titles/trophies awarded per ACF regulations

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🎟️ Registration

• Early Bird: Closes 1st September 2026
• Final Entry: 2 October 2026 (12:00 PM)
• ❌ No entries after deadline

 

👉 Register here: https://portal.hobsonsbaychess.com/public/schedule/events/83487-victorian-junior-rapid-blitz-championship-2026

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💰 Refund Policy

• Full refund (less fees) before 25 September 2026
• No refunds from 26 September onwards

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📩 Enquiries

📧 major_tournaments@hobsonsbaychess.com