Nu¯ haka’s chess kids win

The final Hawke’s Bay district’s school students’ chess tournament for the year was held recently, attracting the most participants for the annual competition for the last three years.

The junior Hawke’s Bay District Chess Tournament attracted 173 entries, up from 147 last year, with students attending the all-day event from schools across the wider Hawke’s Bay.

Nu¯ haka School again featured strongly in the winners’ circle with three siblings winning first place across three age groups — Albert Green Thom in Years 1 to 3, Kuki Green Thom in Year 5 and Wyntah Green Thom in Year 6.

Sherenden School student Duncan Logan won the Year 4 category.

Nu¯ haka School principal Nick Chapman said the three winning students were not only great strategists, they also used mindfulness as they dealt with the pressure on the board and the distractions around them.

“We are elated with their personal successes — quite extraordinary.”

Hawke’s Bay District Chess club president Mike Earle said Nu¯ haka School’s regular appearances in the top results was evidence of the benefits of coaching. Eastern Knights chess club members regularly coached the students, and the game had a strong following at the school.

Mr Earle said the value of chess as an educational tool was becoming recognised internationally where in some parts of Eastern Europe in particular it was being included in the maths curriculum.

He said it was easy to spot those students who were mastering the game.

“We can spot talent a mile off — these players seem to have a grasp of strategy and tactics that has not been coached.

“While they might have developed as a result of their own interest, with coaching added they become even stronger.”

He thanked members of the chess club and the team at the Hastings Sports Centre who co-ordinated the tournaments throughout the year.

“This has ensured the continuity and success of these events.”