Chess champ says ‘checkmate’
SAM MORTON
Last updated 12:41 20/09/2011
Riverlands School pupil Trent Reihana started to play chess as part of his school curriculum.
However, he has proved to be in a class of his own when it comes to the board sport.
Trent took out the Marlborough primary school’s chess crown in dominating fashion yesterday, winning all seven games.
“I was pretty stoked. It was a lot of hard work,” the youngster beamed.
Riverlands principal Dave Parsons said the chess tournament was run by Auckland-based company Chess Power.
“It was well supported and it was great to see the kids mixing and enjoying the game together.”
Teams from Fairhall, Kaikoura Suburban, Kaikoura Primary, Linkwater, Riverlands and Rapaura schools battled to be crowned the Marlborough chess champion.
But Trent proved too good and trounced the opposition with his tactical mind and quick and sure strategies.
“You don’t see many people playing it on TV, so I wanted to get really good and kept practising.
“I try and keep a couple of moves ahead, but sometimes you have to change your strategy a little bit, if you are playing someone who knows your plan.”
Trent hopes to play in the national chess championships and establish himself in the sport.
He plays rugby and is learning the taiaha at Omaka Marae with his uncle.
“One day I’d like to play chess at a higher level, but I just practise with my cousin and play at school now.
Mr Parsons said he was pleased with the support and energy from the children.
“Some of the concentration levels were fantastic. It was really nice to see them all enjoying it.
“I think it is great for the kids to have that opportunity to represent their school, outside of those standard code sports.”
Riverlands finished first overall, followed by Fairhall and Kaikoura.
He said the school was looking for someone to mentor and coach the school chess team.
“The kids are keen enough and they have all the enthusiasm to succeed, but what we lack here is the knowledge. These kids have taken to the game very well and they quite easily beat the staff and me, so we need someone with the know how to teach them the fineries of the sport.”
Source: – The Marlborough Express
Checkmate 🙂