KATHY WEBB
Eight youngsters from Peterhead Primary School at Flaxmere will be off to Palmerston North next month to represent Hawke's Bay in the North Island chess championships.
The children used their logic and tactical skills to defeat more than 20 other teams from all over the Bay at the regional schools
tournament last Friday, and carried off winner trophies for the primary and intermediate sections.
Te Aute College won the senior section.
Peterhead has a reputation for producing chess champs, as do some Flaxmere families. Three of the eight children in Peterhead's current top teams - Hayley, Tyson and Caleb Johnson - are brothers and sister to two older siblings who have represented Peterhead and gone on to play at national level.
Teacher Sally Rice said Peterhead's grip on the top ranks of school chess was maintained through the dedication of parents and children, and coaching in advanced techniques from Chris Smith of the Hastings-Havelock North Chess Club. The game was also an avenue to broaden the children's life experience, through trips to tournaments.
Principal Martin Genet said he was proud that children from less-privileged backgrounds could consistently come out trumps in a game like chess.
The senior team was Hayley Johnson, Tyson Johnson, Billy Greening and Master Lauvao.
The primary team was Caleb Johnson, Clayton Rigby, September Grant-Atkins and Ashley Welsh.
Hayley and Caleb went through the whole tournament without losing a game.
"I like thinking, and I play it a lot at home on the computer and with my brother," says 12-year-old Hayley.
The other team members enjoy a variety of highlights when they go away to chess tournaments.
Tyson: "My favourite move is getting more pieces."
Billy: "I like taking all the pieces."
Master: "The best thing about chess is saying 'checkmate'."
Caleb: "I like travelling."
September: "I like sacrificing a piece."
Ashley: "I like winning."
Clayton: "I like staying in motels."
