♟️ About the Organizer

Best in the West is the flagship annual tournament of Hobsons Bay Chess Club in Altona, Melbourne, Australia. The club began serving Melbourne’s western suburbs in 1974. Since then, it has developed a broad program for juniors, adults, beginners, and experienced tournament players.

The Best in the West tournament has roots dating to 1982. Over the years, it has attracted leading players from Victoria, other Australian states, and overseas. Its winners have included international masters, FIDE masters, national champions, and strong club competitors. Therefore, the event holds an important place in the history of competitive chess in western Melbourne.

Hobsons Bay Chess Club credits its former president and junior coach Peter Caissa as a driving force behind the tournament. He helped establish Best in the West as a major weekend competition. Moreover, his work connected tournament organization with junior development and community participation.

IA Casey Goh serves as club president and leads the current tournament team. A volunteer committee supports administration, open events, junior tournaments, technology, equipment, sponsorship, and communications. In addition, the club works with a large group of accredited arbiters. This structure allows it to deliver both weekly competitions and major championship events.

🏆 Tournaments and Chess Events

Best in the West remains the organizer’s principal annual open tournament. The 2026 edition takes place at Finnish Hall in Altona. It features five Swiss-system rounds and a classical time control. Furthermore, the organizers submit the results for both FIDE and Australian Chess Federation rating.

The event welcomes titled players, experienced club competitors, developing players, women, juniors, and unrated participants. Its prize structure includes overall awards, junior prizes, a women’s prize, rating-group prizes, and an award for the largest upset. As a result, players at several competitive levels can pursue meaningful prizes.

The tournament usually attracts many of Victoria’s strongest players. Previous winners include IM Darryl Johansen, IM James Morris, IM Guy West, FM Greg Canfell, FM Domagoj Dragicevic, and several other leading competitors. The event’s long winners list also reflects its strong connection with Australian chess history.

Hobsons Bay Chess Club also manages an extensive annual tournament program. Its major events include the Victorian Junior Championship, Victorian Junior Rapid and Blitz Championships, Victorian Women’s Championship, and ANZAC Day Inter-Club Hybrid Championship. Moreover, the club runs regular FIDE- and ACF-rated standard, rapid, and blitz competitions.

The organizing team manages regulations, registrations, pairings, arbitration, rating submissions, prizes, equipment, and player communication. It also uses an online portal for membership, tournament entries, schedules, and results. Therefore, participants can access important event information before and during each competition.

🌱 Youth Chess and Community Development

Junior chess forms a central part of the organization’s work. Hobsons Bay Chess Club provides weekly coaching and regular tournaments for rookies and junior players. These activities introduce children to tournament procedures, notation, clocks, and competitive play.

The club creates a pathway from introductory coaching to rated competition. Beginners can start in junior and rookies events. Meanwhile, stronger players can enter open tournaments, state championships, and national competitions. This approach allows young members to progress at a suitable pace.

Best in the West also gives junior players access to a strong classical tournament. The event offers a substantial guaranteed junior prize pool. In addition, children can compete alongside adults, titled players, and experienced club competitors. This experience helps young participants build confidence and improve their tournament skills.

The club describes itself as a multicultural organization for players of different ages and backgrounds. It also participates in festivals and community events across western Melbourne. Consequently, its activities connect formal tournament chess with wider public participation.

Through Best in the West, weekly club events, coaching, and championship tournaments, the organizing team supports chess throughout Melbourne’s western suburbs. Its program combines a long competitive tradition with modern tournament administration and structured junior development.