skip to main content

I want to...

Current filter:

Rubbish & Recycling Rubbish & Recycling

Talent shines through at chess competition

Chess tournament

The winners, from left, Albert Green Thom (Nuhaka School), Duncan Logan (Sherenden School), Kuki Green Thom (Nuhaka School) and Wyntah Green Thom (Nuhaka School)

The final Hawke’s Bay district’s school students’ chess tournament for the year was held last week, attracting the most participants seen at the annual competition for the last three years.

The junior Hawke’s Bay District Chess Tournament attracted 173 entries, up from 147 last year, with students attending the all-day event from schools across the wider Hawke’s Bay.

Nuhaka School again featured strongly in the winners’ circle with three siblings taking out first place across three age groups – Albert Green Thom in Years 1 to 3, Kuki Green Thom in Year 5 and Wyntah Green Thom in Year 6.

Sherenden School student Duncan Logan won the Year 4 category.

Nuhaka School principal Nick Chapman said the three winning students were not only great strategists, they also used mindfulness as they dealt with the pressure on the board and the distractions around them.

“We are elated with their personal successes - quite extraordinary.”

Hawke’s Bay District Chess club president Mike Earle said Nuhaka School’s regular appearances in the top results was evidence of the benefits of coaching.

Eastern Knights chess club members regularly coached the students, and the game had a strong following at the school.

Mr Earle said the value of chess as an educational tool was becoming recognised internationally where in some parts of Eastern Europe in particular it was being included in the maths curriculum.

He said it was easy to spot those students who were gaining a mastery of the game.

“We can spot talent a mile off – these players seem to have a grasp of strategy and tactics that has not been coached.

“While they might have developed as a result of their own interest, with coaching added they become even stronger.”

He thanked members of the chess club and the team at the Hastings Sports Centre who co-ordinated the tournaments throughout the year.

“This has ensured the continuity and success of these events.”

5 November 2018

Back to Archive

Loading...

Hastings District Council - Copyright © 2024 Hastings District Council

Disclaimers and Copyright
While every endeavour has been taken by the Hastings District Council to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, Hastings District Council shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith. Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant government agencies. Hastings District Council cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. Portions of the information and material on this site, including data, pages, documents, online graphics and images are protected by copyright, unless specifically notified to the contrary. Externally sourced information or material is copyright to the respective provider.

© Hastings District Council - / +64 6 871 5000 / customerservice@hdc.govt.nz