Eggsploring Chess at Tang Hall Library

While many of us were on our Easter holidays, our Yorkshire coordinators were busy, running a competition at Tang Hall Explore Library that was open to all but aimed primarily at first time competitors. It’s never too early to start competitive chess: the least experienced player had only learnt how to play four days previously! However, they still managed to win one game in which the advantage swung back and forth multiple times.

Between each round, Dan, our Yorkshire coordinator picked out some key positions from the games and gave a mini lesson - the children participated well and got involved with answering questions. In the tournament itself, the competition leader, Alfred, had the advantage in his last game after skillfully surviving a bold opening attack by Mahathi in which she had three minor pieces in his territory. However, the infamous stalemate (Mahathi said after that this was her only hope in the endgame!) came to her rescue and prevented Alfred from making a clean sweep.

1st place: Alfred
2nd place: Nubaid
3rd place: Mahathi

There was some excellent chess played and some great displays of sporting behaviour: well done to Nuh, Esther, and Tadhg! Thank you to CSC tutors Dan, Dom, and Noel, all the competitors, the parents, and Tang Hall Explore Library for making this lovely Easter event happen.