Main - Friday, May 18, 2012 10:33 - 0 Comments

College Chess Champion

Year 10 student Alex Field is the College Chess Campion following a tense final held in the hushed atmosphere of the library.
Alex battled it out with fellow chess fanatic Richard Wingfield of Year 13 and the pair were watched by fellow members of the college Chess Club. Both qualify for the next round of The British Land UK Chess Challenge being held at the King’s School, Ely, on Saturday.
Since the competition started in 1996 an incredible half a million youngsters have been introduced to the game. It is a great way of making new friends and can make a huge difference to your confidence and learning.
Successful players from the county and area finals can progress through to the North and South Gigafinals. There are separate sections for girls to encourage them to take part. The grand Terafinal has a prize fund of more than £10,000.
Around 20 students go along to the college Chess Club which is run by Mr Field with lots of students playing during their lunch breaks. New members are always welcome.
Some Year 6 primary school pupils also join in the club’s activities and are collected by mini bus and brought to the college. Most of those who come along will be starting at the college in September. They think it is an ideal way of getting used to the building and they will also know some older students when they arrive.
Even if you are not already a chess player you can start as a complete beginner – the game will be explained to you and you will be shown ¬¬¬different moves. There is no need to worry because students are learning all the time and are lots of different levels being played.

Article written by Charlotte Rockcliffe and Joe Melnyk (Press Club members)