Ballarat Chess Club – Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room

The chess table in the photo (which is part of a collage of portraits of old BMI members) is possibly one of those still in use in the BMI Library on the ground floor. The date of the picture, at a rough guess, is believed to be between 1866 and 1875. C.J. Harvey (shown on the picture), J.Tatham (on the collage) and W.D. Battan (secretary of the BMI, on the collage and who presented the collage to the BMI in 1910) were active chess-players in 1866-67. They played, amongst others, in the infamous Smythesdale handicap-chess tournament, which lasted 8 months, and ended in controversy.

BMI News

Our Library | New Releases & Recommendations April 2025

Go to the Library webpage to view all New Releases....

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Three Boys Gone Mark Smith. Mark Smith presents the ultimate...

A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | April 2025

Hello everyone. As the leaves start to fall, pace is...

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Wild Dark Shore Charlotte McConaghy. From the New York Times bestselling author...

Cart

Your cart is empty! Return to shop