A major Northern Rivers chess tournament was held at the Byron Bay Services Club in late April.
‘It was well-attended, with players from the whole region as well as Gold Coast and Brisbane,’ according to local player and former Australian Chess Federation president Peter Wallman.
‘It is the first serious and competitive chess tournament we are aware of in the area,’ he said. ‘Some really good players came for the event and International Master and former Australian Champion, Alex Wohl, emerged the winner’.
It is hoped that Byron Shire will become a leading chess hub.
‘We want to enable chess for everyone’s enjoyment, mental health and deeper thinking. This will be particularly important if Byron Council chooses to support chess in the Shire,’ he said.
Peter Hanna, Northern Rivers volunteer chess organiser said, ‘the proposed chess facilities at Byron’s main beach would be a winner for businesses in the town by attracting more well-behaved visitors, and for longer stays’.
