About Us
Established in 1973, the chess club meets every Monday night at 7:00 p.m. Visitors and new members can expect a friendly reception.
Whatever your strength you will find somebody who enjoys playing at your particular level, whether beginner or expert. Our members range from unrated, social players, to people like WIM Nancy Lane, FM Brian Jones, FM Lee Jones, four-time chess Olympian Tony Bouchaaya, and former Australian Champion, IM Gary Lane.
As with most chess clubs our members come from all walks of life, from the trades to the professions, and from young people to retirees.
The club has an enormous catchment area drawing players from Parramatta, the Blue Mountains, and all points between. If you're concerned that you'd have to travel to get here you're not alone. It's worth it.
You're welcome to play chess without joining the club but if you do decide to become a member the fee is $25 p.a. ($20 if you have a concession card). For your money you get all the chess you want and the club pays your membership fee to the NSW Chess Association.
Every year Rooty Hill fields teams in both the Western Sydney and the NSWCA Interclub Grade Matches in which teams of four players compete on a home-and-away basis. As the name suggests players are graded according to their competition results and meet opponents of approximately equivalent strength. It's not necessary to have a rating to play so unrated players can also take part. Rooty Hill has become one of the most prolific and successful clubs in the competition.
Of course, you don't need to leave Rooty Hill to play competitively-there's always lots of action in the club.
During the year we hold a Club Championship (restricted to club members), the Rooty Hill Open which attracts many visiting chess players, two Rapid-Play tournaments (players must complete each game in twenty minutes), Allegro tournaments (fifteen minutes) and lightning tournaments (five minutes) on those odd nights when nothing else is happening.
Tournament ratings are calculated by the Australian Chess Federation according to your competition results. It takes nine games against rated players to get your first rating and the good news is that, if you don't want to play elsewhere, you can get yours right here in the club.
There is no need to bring your own chess set, these are provided. So are the latest digital chess clocks. It's no boast that we are one of the best-equipped chess clubs in Sydney.
If you want to join the club, or even if you just want to see what we do, come along one Monday night. You'll be made welcome.
For more information please use the email link on our home page.