Chess

Saint David's Chess Club is now in it's third year of play, and goes from strength to strength each year! Towards the end of the 1999 school year, Mr. Neylon played an 'in-class' chess tournament with his then 5th class. This sparked great interest with some of his pupils, who decided they would like to play on a more regular basis. When the boys returned to 6th class the following September, the interest was still there so I decided to approach Mr. Mc Garry about it.

The idea of an after school chess club was met with great enthusiasm by Mr. Mc Garry, who provided all the necessary resources. The boys in 4th, 5th and 6th classes were invited to take part, and we hoped for thirty or forty interested replies. The overwhelming response we received was completely unexpected, filling the thirty available places and giving rise to a waiting list of over sixty-five hopefuls! Top of the range hardwood chess sets were very generously supplied by Mr. Mc Garry, and so Saint David's Chess Club came to be.

The boys meet every Thursday from 2:45 until 3:45, where they play a few friendly games and some league matches against each other, with the emphasis being on playing chess in a relaxed and friendly environment. In the past we have participated in the highly competitive national competition, the 'ESB Checkmate Challenge', and plans are currently in the pipeline to invite pupils from local schools to pit their wits against us! The energy and enthusiasm that the boys bring to the game is amazing and reflects in the huge improvement we have seen in the strategy of their play. Keep up the good work lads!!!

(Rose Murray, Co-Ordinator)

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