The Top of the South Interschools Chess Championship drew a record crowd on Friday, with nearly 100 more students taking part than last year.
A total of 282 students from 29 schools across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough competed in the tournament at Nelson College, up from 194 competitors last year.
Organiser Rami Riachi says the turnout reflects a wider surge in the game’s popularity across the region.
“Every year it’s growing, more and more – the whole chess community is growing a lot.”
The tournament drew 142 primary-aged students, 107 intermediate students and 33 secondary students.
Victory Primary School fielded the largest contingent with 35 players, followed by Nelson Central School with 21, Nelson College Preparatory School with 20 and Nelson Intermediate School with 18.
A total of 55 teams competed across five rounds using a Swiss-system format, with each player given 15 minutes per game.
Schools fielded teams of between four and seven players, although only the top four individual scores counted towards the team result. Players earned one point for a win, half a point for a draw and no points for a loss, with tied placings decided using the Buchholz system, which measures the strength of a player’s opposition throughout the tournament.
“The environment was great; everyone was happy and kind… it was great seeing everyone’s huge smiles,” Rami says.
“And while students wanted to win, they were supporting each other. It was great to see how all the schools were working together.”
The winning team in each section qualified for the NZCF National Interschools Finals in September. Enner Glynn School claimed the primary title, St Joseph’s School won the intermediate section, and Nelson College took out the secondary competition. Victory Primary School also secured a place at the national finals.
Rami says chess helps build resilience, patience and good sportsmanship.
“We can replicate this in life… don’t rush, take your time, and think ahead.”
Next year, the national finals will be hosted in Nelson for the first time.
There is more chess ahead this year, with the Cole Cup on 25 July at the Victory Community Centre, the En Passant Tournament on 23 October at Nelson College, and the South Island Chess Championship from 30 September – 4 October at the Rutherford Hotel.
TOP OF THE SOUTH INTERSCHOOLS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP – RESULTS
PRIMARY:
Best Male: Leo Morley (Renwick School)
Best Female: Madelyn Peli (Clifton Terrace School)
Qualified for NZCF National Interschools Finals:
• Enner Glynn School
• Victory Primary School
INTERMEDIATE
2. Nelson Intermediate A (17)
3. Broadgreen Intermediate (14.5)
4. St Paul’s Bishops (13.5)
Best Male: Alexis Jenson (St Joseph’s School)
Best Female: Ali Taylor-Krabo (St Paul’s School)
Qualified for NZCF National Interschools Finals:
• St Joseph’s School
SECONDARY
Best Male: Jack Thomas (Waimea College)
Best Female: Isabella Edgar (Garin College)
Qualified for NZCF National Interschools Finals:
• Nelson College Kings
*Parklands finished fourth after the Buchholz tiebreak system was applied to separate teams tied on points.
