21 May 2019
Our students (Benjamin Nebauer, Jackson Keane, Harrison Amidy, Christian Beveridge, Thomas Bates, Koda Cashen, James Taylor-Stacey, Thomas Amidy & Damien Constable) were competing against 136 other competitors across 6 games. It was not a knock-out tournament which meant that all participants would play 6 games regardless of their performance.
This excursion had two goals:
1. To provide Merriwa Central School students a chance to represent our school in an activity they are enthusiastic about
2. To provide our students the opportunity to compete against skilled opponents that they had never faced before to learn more about the game
Our results speak for themselves. The majority of our students scored 3 out of a maximum of 6 points which, in chess, is a remarkable feat for students competing in their first tournament. Merriwa Central School was the fourth highest point scoring school at the event competing with the likes of Newcastle private schools.
The crowning achievement of the day however does go to Benjamin Nebauer. His skill at the game has come a very long way in 12 short months and it was on display for all to see in Newcastle. His final game of the day - which he states had him more nervous than playing footy - saw him facing off a very skilled opponent that he had befriended hours earlier. This opponent even beat me in a friendly game before their match. It was a thrilling match to watch but Benjamin triumphed and ended the day undefeated with 5.5 points out of 6 (1 drawn game gave him half a point). This placed Benjamin 2nd overall.
The magnificent performance of all of our students in their first ever chess tournament, as well as the class and responsibility they all showed while representing our school, is not to be understated and may be a hint at what is to come in the next few years.