This term, the girls returned to Monday chess sessions with a renewed enthusiasm and energy. It was wonderful to welcome new players, some with prior experience, and others learning for the first time.  

The highlight of the term was the inaugural Barbreck Chess Tournament, held in Week 4. All players embraced the challenge of playing six games and showed tremendous concentration to sustain their focus throughout the morning.  

For many, it was their first opportunity to experience playing competitively under tournament conditions. With 46 girls from Years 2 to 6 entering, each was randomly paired for their first game. In each successive game, winners played against each other and those who lost also played against each other. Winning a game earned one point, with some games ending in a draw and earning both players half a point.  

In the end the top six players were separated by only one and a half points. Two players finishing equal third, Camilla Thomas (Year 5) and Arabella Foote (Year 6), and three players placing equal second Tara Pattison (Year 6), Liana Lam (Year 6), and Holly Farrer (Year 6).  

Our winner for 2022 was Aimee Davenport (Year 4), who won all her games and demonstrated her depth of skills and calm concentration under pressure. Aimee first started playing chess in Barbreck when joining St Catherine’s in Prep.  

It was clear from the girls’ comments that after some initial nerves, they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Most of all, they made new friends and learnt different strategies and skills to take into the future as they continue their involvement in St Catherine’s Chess Program and beyond.  

Thank you to our visiting Chess Coach, Mr Ross Neumann, who provided the professional scoring software, timing clocks and the all-important judging of close games.  

Here are some comments from the students about their experiences: 

“It was a brilliant experience for me. Whether we lost or won, I am sure that we all had lots of fun.” Chloe Wong, Year 4

“Straight away when I went in, I saw tons of chess boards, straight away I was nervous, I never thought it would look like that. When I played against my first chess opponent, I was so nervous, even though I lost the first round and won the next few rounds. After I finished playing, I wanted to play for the whole day. It was so much fun I wish we could have this tournament every once in a while, or term.”
Yifei (Sophie) Wang, Year 4  

“I really enjoyed playing some new people in chess especially in my fifth game, it was very tough, and my opponent and I finished last out of everyone. I have not played in a Barbreck Chess Tournament for about three years, so it was amazingly fun to get back to playing them. I am also very grateful that all my friends who did not participate gave me a lot of support.”
Aimee Davenport, Year 4 

“The chess tournament was a wonderful experience to get to play against other people. It did not matter whether we lost or won, the main thing was that everyone had fun and enjoyed it. I really want to do it again. I even made a couple of new friends! It made me realise that it does not matter when you start playing chess, or if you stop doing it because you still have lots of time to improve. I loved it! I hope that we can do it again.”
Alexandra (Alexi) Kusumah, Year 4

“I walked into the auditorium, and I was feeling really nervous, and everything was super tense. After the first few games, it felt more relaxing. And we got to know how different people played their games so we could improve. It was really fun and exciting even though I only won four games. It was definitely a memorable experience for me.”
Sienna Yu, Year 4

“I felt nervous at the start of the Chess Tournament, but as I played the first game, I began to feel confident. When I was asked if I wanted to play the second round, I said, ‘yes’ so, I played on until the end of the sixth game. I received a score of 14.5. Next year I will ask if I can enter the Chess Tournament.”
Mia Tien, Year 2 

“At the start of the Chess Tournament, I felt nervous as I played the first game and began to feel more confident the more, I played. After a game, I was asked if I wanted to stay or go, and I decided to stay because it was fun.”
Elizabeth Woodruff Year 2