Students use strategy skills

Thursday, 24th June 2010

Students use strategy skills

There was no Nintendo Wii or xbox 360 _ it was back to a more traditional form of game last Friday as Goulburn Valley students took part in the Chess Kids National Interschool Chess Championships.

The contest was hosted by Goulburn Valley Grammar School and students from Notre Dame College, Shepparton High School, the Scots School, Scared Heart College and FCJ College travelled to compete in the first regional round.

FCJ Benalla College student Brandon Hyland, 13, said the day was a good test of chess skills and it was challenging to play the game against other students from across the region.

“I used to play a lot at home _ I actually played it and every time I didn’t do something right in the game, I’d learn from that,” he said.

“It’s a thinking game and you can always look at all the ways to get the queen. It’s all about strategy. I play whenever I get around to it at school _ I don’t have a chess set at home, though I used to go to my neighbours’ house and play there. I reckon I might do good today.”

Former chess champion and founder of the Chess Kids competition David Cordover said the game was becoming more popular in schools because of the skills it imparted.

“Educators are looking for ways to boost core skills and chess is working well because it taps into a number of key competencies,” he said.

“This includes numeracy skills, concentration, reasoning, problem solving and memory _ best of all, it’s also seen by children as a fun game rather than another classroom activity.”

Source: http://www.sheppnews.com.au