It's the beginning of a new year at Croydon Chess and we're getting geared up to make sure its bigger and better than ever.  There are some really, REALLY important things to communicate in this newsletter, so please read it carefully!

2006 CALENDAR - our calendar has been published so make sure that you take a look at the events planned this year.

BLINDFOLD SIMULTANEOUS EXHIBITION - FM Jonathan Sarfati is doing us a special favour and making a visit to the club on Saturday, 11th February 2006 at 4PM to play a simultaneous blindfold exhibition.  If there is one event on the 2006 calendar that I would like you all to attend, it would be this one!  We have sent out a media release to the local papers in order to drum up a bit of interest.  We will certainly have visitors on the day, so lets make sure the event is well attended and the club is vibrant and alive!  If time permits Jonathan will also play a regular simul following the blindfold event.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - our first Annual General Meeting is next Thursday, 2nd February 2006 at 7PM.  There will be casual play after the meeting so come and join us.  The agenda has already been posted to all members.  We will have additional copies available on the night, along with copies of the financials and so on.

2006 MAROONDAH FESTIVAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP - this promotional event is coming up on Sunday, 19th February 2006. 1pm start, 15 mins/game, 5 round Allegro.  Trophies for Open Winner and Junior Winner.  We'll be out in the open air, so start praying NOW for good weather!  We had a blast last year and everyone really enjoyed the event, so come and join us.  Our intention is to have 10 junior boards and 10 adult boards (i.e. up to 20 juniors and 20 adults playing).  We may vary that depending on entries on the day.  Oh, by the way, did I mention that entry is free, so no excuse not to play!  Last year we picked up around 10 new members as a result of this day, so make sure you're there to support the club and make potential new members feel welcome.

APPOINTMENT OF COACH - N.Y.Wong (our 2005 Club Champion) will be our head coach for 2006.  N.Y. is a former coach of the Singapore junior team.  He is very structured and methodical in his coaching and I can thoroughly recommend his approach, as I have been a first-hand recipient of his training.  Cost will be $5.00/session for Croydon Chess members (rather than paying per term) as we recognise that people occasionally need to miss a week here and there due to circumstances beyond their control.

CLUB RATINGS - club members listed in the ACF December 2005 ratings list:

Name..................  Rating
Sandler     Leonid      2306
Wong        Ngiam Yee   2142
Guy         Wayne       2030
Waller      Tony        1710
Stones      Douglas     1675
Bekker      Gary        1601
Smith       Mike        1469
LeRoy       Andrew      1446
Frost       Jared       1437
Frost       Stephen     1434
Kloprogge   Ion         1307
Gabrys      Marek       1273
Abrahams    Charles     1268
Young       Jack         620
Christensen Jared        529

The most improved player during that period was Mike Smith (+ 91pts).  Also worth of mention is Wayne Guy who scaled the 2000+ mark once again.

I hope everyone has had a really great Christmas and New Year break and is looking forward to playing good chess in 2006.

Regards,

Stephen Frost
President - Croydon Chess