Somerville and Bucklands Beach intermediate schools were the best performers at the New Zealand Interschools Chess Championship hosted by Saint Kentigern College in Pakuranga.
There were a record number of teams – 65 from around New Zealand featuring around 300 children, parents and teachers at the main gymnasium at Saint Kentigern over the weekend. It was a joint organisational event between Howick-Pakuranga Chess Club and Papatoetoe Chess Club and supported by FIDE, the World Chess Federation.
Howick-Pakuranga Chess Club member and 1996 NZ Women’s Champion Winnie Ong was the chief organiser.
Somerville Intermediate School placed second in the intermediate school section behind Northcross Intermediate in North Auckland. Bucklands Beach Intermediate finished third.
There were 23 teams in the primary section [won by Pinehurst School, North Auckland], 24 in the intermediate section and 18 teams in the secondary section [winner Rangitoto College, North Auckland].
The event was made extra special with an opening and closing karakia by students from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tamaki Nui A Rua, Manawatu and Te Pihipihinga Kakano mai Rangiatea, Taranaki, said Ong.
“We are thankful to all parents, schools and team managers who organised travel and letting students have this opportunity to gain tournament experience, and to connect with chess players from other regions,” she said.
“Students get to play chess in a team with peers who enjoy playing chess just as much as them. They learn to support each other through their wins and losses, create memories together and that’s different to playing in an individual competition.
“Let’s not overlook how important peer support is for their sense of belonging, developing resilience and empathy and it was wonderful that we were able to facilitate this with an event for chess enthusiasts.”
TEAM STANDINGS
Primary
1st place, NZ and North Island champions: Pinehurst School, North Auckland (12)
2nd place: Remuera Primary School, Central Auckland (11)
3rd place: ACG Sunderland, West Auckland (10)
South Island champion: Tuia Burnside Primary School, Canterbury (4)
Intermediate
1st place, NZ and North Island champions: Northcross Intermediate, North Auckland (13)
2nd place: Somerville Intermediate School, East Auckland (11)
3rd place: Bucklands Beach Intermediate School, East Auckland(10)
South Island champion: Avonhead School, Canterbury (6) /
Secondary
1st place, NZ and North Island champions: Rangitoto College, North Auckland (13)
2nd place: Kristin School, North Auckland (12)
3rd place: Auckland Grammar School, Central Auckland (11)
South Island champion: Logan Park High School, Otago (7 on tie breaker)
Board prizes:
Primary
Board 1: 7/7 Richard Liu (ACG Sunderland, West Auckland)
Board 2: 7/7 Luna Lu (Pinehurst School, North Auckland)
Board 3: 6/7 Isaac Gu (Pinehurst School, North Auckland)
Board 4: 7/7 Mason Khong (Sunnyhills School, East Auckland)
Intermediate
Board 1: 7/7 Daqi Mao (Somerville Intermediate School, East Auckland)
Board 2: 6/7 Ryan Hwang (Northcross Intermediate, North Auckland), Ritika Joseph (Avonhead School, Canterbury), Branden Li (ACG Parnell College, Central Auckland)
Board 3: 6.5/7 Alan Li (Northcross Intermediate School, North Auckland)
Board 4: 5.5/7 Leo Xiao (Bucklands Beach Intermediate School, East Auckland) and Santhosh Gowrikumar (Mt Roskill Intermediate School, West Auckland)
Secondary
Board 1: 7/7 Felix Xie (Rangitoto College, North Auckland)
Board 2: 6/7 Anya Thurner (ACG Sunderland, West Auckland)
Board 3: 6.5/7 Zachary Yu (Rangitoto College, North Auckland)
Board 4: 5.5/7 Frank Deng (Kristin School,
