Students show nice moves

CHECKMATE was the call from eight St Kevin’s Primary School students who blitzed the field at a Victorian chess competition this month.
The budding players were among 50 children from the Hampton Park school that topped the primary section of the Victorian Interschool Chess Championships at Beaconsfield.
The children competed for almost four hours in a competition that sought to emphasise participation, learning and social interaction.
St Kevin’s teams impressed everyone at the championships and took out first, second and third place in the competition.
Coordinator Lise Primaud said chess was encouraged among students at the school as it helped teach them a range of different educational lessons.
“It is part of our maths program for our grade three and four students.
“Chess is a great way to help students think clearly and it also helps with problem solving skills and helps kids visualise,” Ms Primaud said.
“They really enjoy it and practise every Friday during their lunchtimes.”
The eight students have qualified for the state championships in October and will go head-to-head with some of the best young chess players in Victoria.