R.F. Staples School’s Joshua Brown was crowned chess champion as kings and queens let their pawns do the fighting on the checkered battlefield May 11.
It wasn’t the first chess tournament ever held at the R.F. Staples, but organizer Jerry Buchko said it has been a while since he last offered the opportunity to Pembina Hills students. Forty-four students registered for the tournament and 27 students from Grade 4 to 12 came to Westlock with their game faces on.
“I tried this about eight or nine years ago and about three people registered,” said Buchko, who was impressed with this year’s turnout.
For his efforts Brown won a new chess set. Wonjun Lee of Swan Hills School won a $50 Visa gift card for second place and Durell Lefebvre from R.F. Staples placed third and received a $25 gift card from Boston Pizza.
Chess used to be an option at R.F. Staples, said Buchko, a long-time teacher at the school who is now principal at the Sunniebend and Pibroch colony schools.
Buchko is also an avid chess player and credits Brown and Lefebvre for the idea of bringing the chess tournament back.
“You don’t have to be young or old to be good. My 11 year old beat me once and I’m 52,” he said.
“Age has nothing to do with this.”
Actually, Buchko pointed out, many grandmasters start playing chess and learning complex strategies at a very young age.
The 1,500-year-old game of battlefield strategy also has an educational value that can’t be discounted, said Buchko.
“Research shows that the younger they start playing chess, the better they do in math.”
Eleanor Hall School chess coach Tim Gezmish added it promotes problem solving skills, thinking ahead and recognizing patterns out of chaos. It also happens to be a fun and competitive game.
“It’s just fun. I enjoy figuring out where everything goes a getting the chance to play,” said Cole Fedorvich, who shared that he likes to move his knights out front to start the game.
Busby School’s Ava Verbynck said she really enjoys beating her brother, but also said it helps her with math.
“I like figuring out the steps and figuring out a problem and the different strategies” she said.
Paige Little of Westlock Elementary School said she finds the game to be relaxing, but she also likes the competition, and winning.
With the interest in this year’s tournament, Buchko is hoping to make it an annual event.
