NOTL students call checkmate in 14-school tournament

Over 240 students representing 14 schools participated in the second annual District School Board of Niagara tournament this Monday.

Competitors from Grades 3 to 8, some sporting black and white chess board-themed clothing, filled the main auditorium for an intense but fun day of opening moves and coordinating attacks.

Josh Bateson, organizer and Grade 6 St. Davids Public School teacher, was pleased with the turnout which was similar to the numbers of competitors in 2023.

The tournament allowed entry of four students from each grade, per school, and all students were guaranteed four rounds of games.

French teacher Debbie Peters brought 14 students from Crossroads to this year’s tournament. She noted that while interest for chess club was high in some age groups, it had waned in the intermediate grades.

“We had no Grade 8 students interested, and none of the Grade 7 students wanted to attend the tournament,” she said. Perhaps, she suggested, it’s because after COVID restrictions were lifted, intermediate students have more options for their extra-curricular time.

Regardless, “all the kids really enjoyed the day, and look forward to going again next year for some rematches,” said Peters.

“It's so great for the students to have opportunities to compete in tournaments like this one. There are always a number of physical sports for the kids to participate in at school, but not many mind sports.”

Crossroads student Jake Prusko came in third overall in the Grade 6 category. “The last game was a close one, and my hands were shaking from all the tension and excitement,” said Prusko.

At the end of the day, students from St. Davids won the overall trophy. James Froese improved his standing from last year (third place) to win gold in the Grade 5 group and five others finished in the top three in their respective groups and grades. In Grade 3, Kasra Rahbar won bronze. In Grade 7, Hanlin Gao, won gold. He was also a first-place winner in his division last year.

Grade 7 St. Davids students, Eric Pa earned himself a silver standing and Aleksandr Keda, a bronze. In Grade 8, while Marcus Hannon won bronze.

Greg Willis, program director for Chess Nation - Niagara, acted as grand marshal while his brother, Daniel Willis, assisted with data.