Kids battle on the board

Kids savour battle on the boards
By ROSS ROMANIUK, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 24th April 2009, 3:45am

Giving more than 330 kids a chance to use patience, strategy and problem-solving in a fun environment — good move.

That’s how organizers of a chess event see their success in bringing together students to compete and learn the game yesterday at St. George School in St. Vital.

The third annual St. George Chess Festival saw pupils from grades 3 to 8 crowd into the school’s gymnasium for hours to do battle on the boards — some of them much larger than they are.

“They’re from beginner to average to expert, and I kind of match them up according to their levels,” teacher and organizer Allen Vilar said of the celebration, which involved students from 14 schools across the Louis Riel School Division.

“It teaches them co-operation, problem-solving — and basically it’s a battle of the minds, rather than a battle of the fists.”

Some 170 chessboards saw action, including a massive playing surface allowing competitors to climb on and move pawns, bishops, kings and such about a couple of feet high.

One long table had about 10 kids on one side, simultaneously facing off against a male St. George teaching assistant — ranked as a “grand master” in chess in his home country of Colombia — who took on each of them separately.

Rather than a tournament, Vilar said, this event is “just to have fun” and learn the game.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers centre Dave Vankoughnett was among a group of local celebrities on the sidelines.

“We play it at home with my family. And it creates the ability to think and manoeuvre. I always bring it back to football,” Vankoughnett said.

“It’s really applicable to a lot of things in life, and a fantastic way to spend some time instead of watching TV.”

Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com