Chess a serious business

Manawatu Standard

TESTING TIMES: Students feel the pressure at the Manawatu Regional Chess Competition at Longburn Adventist College.

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Sixty four players took part in the Manawatu region's intermediate and secondary school chess competition at the Longburn Adventist College yesterday.

Palmerston North Boys' High School A team won the secondary school contest comfortably, with the school's B team coming in as runner up.

Organiser Michael Hilton said the intermediate competition was a close-run thing.

"Monrad Intermediate won, but it was very close, with Kimbolton School just one point behind," he said.

The winning teams of four now go to the national chess competition, to be held in Christchurch on September 25 and 26.

Mr Hilton said the contest was very serious. Players had just 15 minutes each to make all their moves.

"So someone could lose on time. It is a tough competition, and it was great to see so many people taking part."

The games were played in complete silence, the only noise coming as contestants hit the clock at the end of each move.

There were eight secondary school and eight intermediate teams.

- © Fairfax NZ News