Boys make chess nationals

CHAMPS: Members of the top chess team from South End School in Carterton are Joseph Teofilo (left), Connor Pogson, Samson Dell and Zac Brown.

Young chess players from South End School have earned a spot at Chess Power's national tournament for the third year in a row.

The team of Zac Brown, Samson Dell, Connor Pogson and Joseph Teofilo won first place at the regional competition at Makoura College last Tuesday. The team's gold medal qualifies it to travel to Auckland for the national tournament next month.

Alastair Kay, principal of South End School, said he was proud of the team.

"I think it's an outstanding achievement. I have a lot of gratitude for the people who work with them," he said.

The team is hoping for a placing at the nationals after winning fifth place last year and 17th place in 2011.

At the regionals last week each member played seven games and received certificates based on their results.

Zac said he won six games and lost one, putting him in the top 5 per cent of the region's participants and won second place individually overall.

Samson and Joseph were both within the top 10 per cent of participants and Samson individually won third place overall. Connor finished in the top 25 per cent of participants.

School secretary Elaine Scully said the boys gained their skills by practising each Monday with a parent.

"Minty Hunter [often] comes in and coaches them," she said.

Zac said he only started playing competitively in the last few years.

"I used to play with my mates, until I started beating them and they didn't want to play me," he said.

Connor and Joseph have been playing with their fathers for years.

Joseph's grandmother, Tina Rahui, is a supporter of the team and said chess was a part of her family life.

"My children have always played chess so I really support them," she said, of the team's recent win.