The annual Caerphilly School’s Chess Tournament recently took place at Blackwood Comprehensive School.
Now in its third year, the tournament again proved very popular with pupils participating from all over the county borough. Playing against each other within their year groups, a number of closely fought games resulted in the following successes; Year 7 winner Gerome Tangonan from Risca Comp, Year 8 winner Lauren Saffin from Blackwood Comp, Year 9 winner Alex Mat from Rhymney Comp, Year 10 winner William John from Blackwood Comp and Year 11 winner Jordan Wilks from Risca Comp.
The tournament ended with all players being challenged in a simultaneous display by Chess Coach for the day, Steve Jones. Steve, a Senior Library Assistant from Caerphilly Libraries Service, said “I have been playing chess for over 30 years but have never played a simultaneous exhibition before. It was very nerve-wracking and the pupil’s standard of play was high. The players were setting traps on every board, I had to concentrate like mad not to lose! The pupils were all extremely well-mannered and friendly toward each other and I was really impressed with their competitive, but sporting attitude.”
The Chess event was organised and sponsored by the Caerphilly Schools Library Service who not only support literacy based activities in schools but also organise activities like this.
Challenges have already been laid down for next year’s tournament. Congratulations to all participants and Year group winners.
