Chess in Australia has a documented history dating back to the nineteenth century, closely linked to British cultural influence during the colonial period. Organized chess activity was already established in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne by the mid-1800s, with early clubs, newspapers, and correspondence play helping to spread the game. One of the oldest surviving chess organizations in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Chess Club, was founded in 1866 and remains active today.

National coordination of chess began in the early twentieth century. The Australian Chess Federation (ACF) was founded in 1937 and serves as the governing body for chess in Australia. It oversees national championships, represents Australia within the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and coordinates state and territory chess associations. Australia became a member of FIDE in 1950, enabling its players to compete formally in international competitions such as the Chess Olympiad.

Australia has produced several players of international standing. Cecil Purdy was a pivotal figure in Australian chess history, becoming the country’s first and only official World Correspondence Chess Champion in 1953. Over-the-board success followed in later decades, with Ian Rogers emerging as Australia’s first Grandmaster in 1985 and remaining one of its strongest players for many years. More recently, players such as David Smerdon, Zong-Yuan Zhao, and Anton Smirnov have represented Australia in international events, while the women’s game has been led by players including Jolene Chen and Sally Sun.

Chess in Australia today is supported by a network of local clubs, school programs, and national tournaments, including the Australian Open Championship. While geographically distant from traditional chess centers, Australia maintains an active and well-organized chess culture.