The third and final round of the Newark primary schools’ chess competition saw very strong performances from the Sutton on Trent A and Highfields teams, both scoring 11 points from their 12 games. Sutton’s performance ensured that their school became winners for the third consecutive year while Highfields jumped into second place overtaking the Sutton on Trent B team, who finished third. Holy Trinity A team finished in fourth place.
The event held at Holy Trinity school involved 48 children from seven schools: Barnby Road, John Blow (Collingham), Donald Bailey, Farndon, Highfields, Holy Trinity and Sutton on Trent. The 12 teams each comprised of four players and each child played three games in the afternoon against different teams in a jamboree format.
Eight children won all three games – a player each from Donald Bailey and Holy Trinity, and three players from both Highfields and Sutton on Trent. These children were presented with medals by Vili Chung from the competition’s sponsors Tallents Solicitors. Mrs Chung also presented the trophies to the teams in first, second and third places.
Two previous rounds had been held at Barnby Road in November last year and Donald Bailey in March. The scores from these two events were added to the points gained in the final round to produce the overall positions. Sutton on Trent’s total points of 32.5 out of 36 from the three rounds was the highest score achieved since the competition started in 2008/09, beating the Holy Trinity total of 32 in 2019.
The standard of play once again improved over the school year and the final event produced some very good checkmates involving minor pieces. In some games, players gave up a piece to gain a better position.
Chess challenges children to stay focused and to be alert to the opportunities available. They learn from the consequences of their actions and how a weak move can lose a game.