Mike Duffin
Round one of the Northern Rivers Interschool Chess Championship was held recently with local students excelling in the tournament.
In the primary school section, the 2012 champions Shearwater once again showed their depth to take out the primary teams quite comfortably ahead of EAC Ballina.
Francisco Mendes and Orion Jarrah shared second and third in the individual with the two Oscars, Wheeler and Soper, not far behind. The young team from Durrumbul was a good fourth and should be a threat down the track.
The final places were: first Shearwater on 21.5pts; second EAC Ballina on 18.5pts; and third St Joseph’s Alstonville on 18pts.
In the high schools division, St John’s made the state finals last year and continued that form, winning a close battle on home turf by half a point over Trinity. Clearly that dominance won’t last. Mullumbimby High was third, a mere point behind the winners, an extraordinary achievement considering all four are year seven students in their first crack at senior level.
The 2012 primary champion, Mullum High’s Callum Wilson, took out the individual event with six wins and a draw, proving size doesn’t matter.
A depleted Shearwater could only manage sixth, but expect more when the finals come around later in the year.
The results were: first St John’s Woodlawn on 20pts; close behind in second was Trinity on 19.5 pts; and third – again it was very close – Mullum High with 19pts.
Full results can be found at www.gardinerchess.com follow www.byronchess.blogspot.com.au for information on adult and junior chess in Byron Shire.