The Knox Community Chess Enthusiasts (KCCE) are gearing up for an exciting event at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, set to take place in September 2024.
The KCCE, known for fostering a vibrant social chess community, has participated in various tournaments, including a memorable performance at the Judit Polgar Rapid Teams Chess Tournament held during the annual Hungarian Centre’s Goulash Festival in Wantirna last 3 February 2024.
KCCE President Eddie Atacador, alongside his adept teams, participated with gusto in the Judit Polgar tournament, competing against 14 teams from greater Melbourne.
Representing different chess clubs and groups of friends of the Budapest Chess Club, KCCE’s Dream Team-1, comprising Jose Madriaga, Maickel Smith Rodriguez, David Wu, and Eduardo Quinto, clinched third place. Dream Team-2, with Jason Goodacre, Sushil Beri, Nick Grskovic, and Rene Barachina, also made a commendable finish, securing the 8th position out of 14 contenders. Team support led by Rolly Hernandez was crucial in celebrating the teams’ achievements.
The anticipation is particularly high for the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where the KCCE is expected to shine once again. KCCE and tournament organizer Endre Simon, along with International Chess Arbiter Tim, are excited to display an “Art of Chess” exhibition featuring Endre’s finest and most artistic chess set collections.
This upcoming event reflects KCCE’s commitment to promoting chess as a mentally stimulating and inclusive activity. The Victorian-based club organizes weekly chess meetings, inviting everyone to join at Westfield Knox on Thursdays and at Rowville Library on Fridays, under the auspices of the Coonara Community House (CCH) and Knox City Council.
The February event in Wantirna showcased KCCE’s active involvement in the chess community. Eddie Atacador expressed his gratitude to Endre Simon and Tim for their invitation and the opportunity to compete in such an engaging environment, which included three teams entirely composed of junior players, showcasing talents as young as six to nine years.
The KCCE continues to pride itself on creating a sense of inclusion and belonging within the chess community, demonstrating a winning mindset and offering uplifting experiences to all its members.
The Chess Olympiad in Budapest presents an exciting opportunity for KCCE to display their skills on an international stage once again, further enriching their community’s spirit and love for the game.