Club Events & Tournaments

Our entry-level tournament designed for new and developing competitive chess players.

Rookies provides a welcoming introduction to tournament chess for players who already know the basic rules and are ready to experience competitive play. Players learn Swiss pairings, practise using chess clocks, record results, and gain confidence playing in a tournament environment.

Ideal for juniors and improving players, Rookies is the perfect stepping stone from casual chess towards longer rated tournaments such as Sunday Arvo and Friday Night events.

Monthly 2nd Sundays
12:30 pm start
7-round rapid tournament

Our Sunday afternoon competition featuring ACF rated classical tournaments.

Sunday Arvo provides players with the opportunity to develop their chess through longer time controls, competitive games, and official rated play in a friendly club environment.

Open to both juniors and adults, these tournaments are a great next step for players moving beyond rapid chess and looking to gain experience, improve their decision-making, and build their official chess rating.

Sundays (one round per week)
4 pm start
ACF rated classical games

(Not held on Rookies tournament days.)

Our main weekly competition night featuring ACF & FIDE rated classical tournaments.

Friday Night events provide players with the opportunity to experience serious tournament chess with longer time controls, official ratings, and a competitive club atmosphere.

Open to both juniors and adults, these tournaments are ideal for players looking to improve their skills, gain tournament experience, and challenge themselves against a wide range of opponents.

Fridays (one round per week)
7:15 pm start
ACF & FIDE rated classical games

Held annually from 27–30 December, the Canterbury Summer Swiss is one of our major tournaments of the year, attracting over 100 players, including many interstate and international competitors.

Traditionally held at an external venue, with recent editions hosted at Huntingdale Golf Club, the tournament brings together juniors and adults for four days of competitive classical chess.

27–30 December (Annually)
ACF & FIDE rated classical tournament