Junior chess champs battle it out in Sheringham
By DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP,
Monday, January 30, 2012 5:33 PM
More than 30 children and their parents turned-up from all over the county to compete at the town’s community centre yesterday (Sunday).
Tomasina Contu, 37, of Marshland St James, was there to support her children who were taking part in the event, and praised the game which she said teaches key skills.
“All my children are home schooled,” she said.
“And have been playing chess from a young age. It’s an important game and I think it should be made compulsory in schools.”
Her 13-year-old son Yousuf Bin Suhayl plays for the county and came second in the junior category. He said it was an “interesting” game.
He added: “Chess is enjoyable and it helps to teach concentration and how to practice.”
Mrs Contu said she believes there is a direct correlation with chess players being competent in maths and Yousuf recently become one of the youngest people in the country to get the top A* grade in A-level maths.
Yousuf’s nine-year old brother Ibraheem, who also competed in the event, received his GCSE in maths last year.
Class teacher from Sheringham Primary School Matthew Perry, teaches chess at the school and helped out with the event.
He said: “There is pattern at school with chess, it often helps develop their maths skills. The kids also enjoy themselves when they play the game too.”
Prizes were presented to the winners by former Sheringham mayor Noel Gant and town councillor Harry Bennett.
More results: http://www.edp24.co.uk
Nice results.