THUNDER BAY -- Russ Aegard never had one of his Grade 6 students able to regularly beat him at chess until Darian Smith entered his class this school year.
Darian, a CD Howe Public School student, brushed up on his chess techniques online and was able to finally call a checkmate on Aegard, also the school’s chess club facilitator, after just a couple of weeks of play.
“There are some really good thinking chess players in my chess club,” said Aegard.
CD Howe usually hosts a chess tournament within the school, but this year Aegard decided to branch out and ask if any other schools within the Lakehead public school board wanted to participate.
Nine other schools accepted the invitation and on Friday put their chess skills to the test; 118 players in Grades 1 to 8 were set to play seven rounds of the game to determine who would come out on top.
“Chess is something kids are certainly interested in,” said Aegard, adding he’s noticed the majority of students in any school he’s taught in join the chess club.
“It’s something that even in northern communities, it’s a huge phenomenon.”
Aegard said the key is reaching players at a young age. The game also improves mathematical skills, specifically in terms of logic and patterning.
For Darian, chess helps him with his hockey strategies as well as his schoolwork and he was hoping to win Friday’s tournament.
“I have high expectations of myself,” he said.
But it’s also just a game.
“It requires a lot of skill and it’s super fun,” said Darian.
The schools participating alongside CD Howe are: Agnew H. Johnston Public School, Algonquin Public School, Crestview Public School, Five Mile Public School, Kingsway Park Public School, Valley Central Public School, Vance Chapman Public School, Westmount Public School and Woodcrest Public School.
