Official Tournament Regulations

Hobsons Bay Chess Club Inc. and the Oceania Chess Confederation (OCC) invite all young chess players from Oceania Zone 3.6 member federations to participate in the Oceania Youth Chess Championship 2027.

One championship registration provides entry into all three events: Classical Championship (9 Rounds), Rapid Championship (7 Rounds), and Blitz Championship (9 Rounds). There are NO extra entry fees for the Rapid or Blitz events.

There shall be 7 age categories with separate events for Open and Girls (14 championships total):

In case there are fewer than eight players and three Federations in an age group category, that group shall be merged with another group.

Every Oceania Federation can register one official player in each category (Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 Open and Girls) totaling a maximum of 14 invited players. Official Players receive waived registration fees and complimentary twin-share accommodation.

Entitled to participate are junior chess players representing Oceania Zone 3.6 member federations or associated members. Players must not have reached their respective age group birthday before 1st January 2027.

Each Federation may register any number of additional players to participate in the age group categories.

Classical Championship: 90 minutes per player with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move one (FIDE Rated).

Rapid Championship: 10 minutes per player with an increment of 2 seconds per move (FIDE Rapid Rated).

Blitz Championship: 3 minutes per player with an increment of 2 seconds per move (FIDE Blitz Rated).

A player forfeits the game if he/she hasn't appeared at his/her board within 30 minutes after the start of the game session.

Final ranking order of players is determined by the number of points scored. If two or more players are tied, the tie shall be broken by tiebreak systems in the following order:

The Technical Delegate IA David Esmonde chairs the Appeals Committee, alongside Chief Arbiter IA Dr Peter Tsai. The Chief Arbiter may issue additional written regulations on details not covered by these regulations.

The Appeals Committee shall be composed of three members and two reserves, all from different federations.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within fifteen minutes of the completion of the relevant playing session alongside a $100 AUD bond.

The decision of the Appeals Committee is final and binding. If the appeal is successful, the $100 AUD bond will be refunded.

FIDE regulations B/01 govern direct titles: IM 2200, WIM 2000, FM 2100, WFM 1900, CM 2000, WCM 1800 minimum rating requirements.

In the U20 category: Gold medal winner is awarded GM/WGM norm (9 games). 1st equal (up to 3 players) gets IM/WIM title. Silver & Bronze get IM/WIM norm and FM/WFM title.

In the U18 category: Gold medal winner is awarded IM/WIM title. 1st equal (up to 3 players) gets IM/WIM norm. Silver & Bronze get FM/WFM title.

In the U16 category: Gold medal winner gets IM/WIM norm. 1st equal gets FM/WFM title. Silver & Bronze get CM/WCM title.

In the U12 & U14 categories: Gold medal winner gets FM/WFM title. Silver & Bronze get CM/WCM title.

In the U8 & U10 categories: Gold, Silver & Bronze medal winners get CM/WCM title.

HBCC provides a $1,000 AUD travel assistance grant to the first three (3) eligible Pacific Island federations (outside Australia and New Zealand) that register a delegation of at least 5 players by 1 March 2027.

Complimentary twin-share accommodation is provided for 1 Official Player per age category and 1 Head of Delegation per federation for the official duration of the championship.

Special Prizes for Pacific Island Federation Players will be awarded separately from the main championship titles.

Early Bird Entry (before 1 August 2027): AUD $130 Entry + AUD $130 Registration = AUD $260 Total.

General Price Entry (after 1 August 2027): AUD $170 Entry + AUD $130 Registration = AUD $300 Total.

Official Federation Players: Registration Fee Waived (AUD $130 Total).

First 300 Registered Players automatically enter a Lucky Draw for 5x DGT Chess Clocks and 1x ChessNut Go electronic board.

Official invitation letters for Australian visa applications will be issued upon payment of entry fees. If an Australian visa cannot be obtained, entry and registration fees will be refunded in full.

Please email major_tournaments@hobsonsbaychess.com for visa invitation requests.

Classrooms will be made available for spectators, parents, and analysis. Users must strictly observe all campus rules to maintain these facilities.

Important Notice: Any damage or mess to campus rooms will result in analysis room closure and costs billed to offenders. Severe damage may result in tournament disqualification.