Interschool Chess Championships – State Finals
The last 7 days have been hectic, but very enjoyable! There is nothing better than seeing the culmination of a year of hard work and effort on the part of some 850 kids around Australia.
Monday 19th October
I was in Launceston for the Tasmanian State Finals. The standard of play keeps getting better and better in Tasmania. Look at at the Nationals – we’re going to see a Tassie National Champion school one day soon! Well done to Calvin Christian College (Secondary Premiers) and Sacred Heart (New Town) (Primary Premiers).
Don Campus, runners up on countback. Ouch!
Tuesday 20th October
Popped in to the office in Melbourne for the final touches to the Victorian Finals.
Wednesday 21st October
Adelaide for the State Primary Finals. Some great photos of the day thanks to Matthew. Winners were Mitcham Primary.
Thursday 22nd October
Off to Perth for some media interviews.
Friday 23rd October
State Finals at Perth Modern School. The Hon. Bill Marmion (local MP) changed his appointment with the premier in order to be able to present the prizes when half-way through the day we discovered we were running early. Thanks! Seton Catholic College again dominated – but what will happen next year when all their year 12 players are gone? Carine Primary snuck through to defeat reigning champions Gnowangerup in the last two rounds. Exciting!
Chess can be a spectator sport!
Saturday 24th October
Arrived in Melbourne at 3am (I don’t recommend Tiger if you want leg-room or luggage!) just in time to make it to the Victorian Youth Championships. What an amazing weekend for Karl Zelesco who scored a picket fence and gained the Junior Master title at the same time!
Winners at the Vic Youth
Sunday 25th October
Getting ready for the big day … who knew setting up for a 500 player chess tournament would take so long!
Monday 26th October
Allegedly the largest chess tournament ever held in Victoria (at final count 481 players in the one hall) it was a major challenge to run on time – it was running perfectly until the last round when 12 boards forgot to report their scores! Never mind; we’ve got to have something to improve for next year.
Great work to Brighton Grammar who took out the Middle Years division and to Mount View Primary for again winning the Primary division.
