CHESS

While the game of Chess itself has a history spanning nearly two thousand years, its history with GPS has been relatively short. The GPS Chess Competition evolved out of the Brisbane Interschool Competition that ran on Friday nights in Term 2 prior to 1993. While this competition was open to all schools in Brisbane and Ipswich its top divisions were dominated by members of the GPS.

In 1993 these Schools decided it was time to run their own Chess Competition and thus GPS Chess was born. Over the course of 1993 and 1994 the schools conducted trial seasons, ironing out rules and regulations. Nudgee College finished first in these precursors to the competition. In 1995 Chess was officially recognised as a GPS Sport, with Brisbane Grammar School winning the first GPS Chess Premiership.

While the rules of Chess do not change very often the structure of GPS Chess has always changed with the times. In the early days of the competition players would be lucky to compete with an Analog Clock. Now every team has the opportunity to use Digital Timers. In 2003 it was decided that the schools had so much young talent that the top teams should no longer be defined by age and the Senior A Team was changed to the Premier Team. In 2011 the GPS Chess Season was changed to Term 3 and in 2012 Yr7s were introduced to the Open Teams with the Yr5s and 6s following in 2014. Following the introduction of Yr7s into High School, in 2015 the Junior Team was altered to include Yr7-9s while the Senior Team was changed to Yr10-12.

MIC’s who advocated GPS Chess to be added to the GPS program – Phil Tresize (IGS), and Amedroz Glen (ACGS).

The nine schools have competed in an annual Chess Premiership since 1995.

1993	The GPS Schools begin their own Chess Competition
1993-1994	Trial Season are held to prepare for GPS Chess
1995	GPS Chess begins. Brisbane Grammar School win the first Premiership
1997-2002	Anglican Church Grammar School has a six (6) year streak as GPS Chess Premiers
2002	The Southport School joins the GPS Chess Competition
2003	GPS Chess Team Structure change from Senior A, Senior B to Premier Team, Senior Team, Junion Team, Open A-D
2004	Brisbane State High School win their first Premiership
2006	First tied Premiership between Brisbane Grammar School and Toowoomba Grammar School
2011	GPS Chess Season changed from Term 2 to Term 3
2012	Year 7s introduced to Open Teams
2014	Year 5-6 introduced to Open Teams
2015	Junior Teams changed to Year 7-9, Senior Teams changed to Years 10-12 and Year 7s eligible to play in Premier Team