Students have competed in the fifth Warwick Regional Interschool Chess Championships

Talented youngsters from across the Southern Downs used their wits in the battle for supremacy at the fifth inter-school competition at Assumption College.

Natalia Stewart from Warwick East State School

Chess players from the Southern Downs showed off their moves when they battled it out at the fifth regional inter-school championship.

Almost 100 students gathered at Assumption College Friday morning to take part in seven matches, with both junior and senior competitions running across the day.

Junior competitor and St Mary’s, Warwick pupil Thomas Telfer started his day strong, coming away with two-for-two wins.

“The person who I played was really good and he lasted very long with just his king,” he said.

Thomas Telfer said the game was all about good sportsmanship.

St Joseph’s, Stanthorpe pupil Patrick Scudamore, who learned to play from his grandfather, also kicked off the day with the taste of victory.

“I haven’t played in months, but yet I’ve had two wins,” he said.

“I thought I wouldn’t win a single match, honestly.”

Patrick Scudamore started his day with victory.

Thomas said the game all came down to good sportsmanship.

“It’s always fun but you do need to be kind of smart to learn the strategies,” he said.

St Joseph’s pupil Jeremy Lister said he won his two rounds by paying close attention to his opponent.

“I just look at what’s happening and find out if I think there’s a good move,” he said.

“It’s very good to think about your move before you do it … if you don’t think about just one thing, (the game) could go terribly wrong.”

Jeremy Lister said you had to pay close attention to the game.

Assumption College teacher-librarian Carmel Wooding said the tournament allowed students to travel and participate in events away from a traditional sporting setting.

“We saw a need for something for those kids who aren’t necessarily sporty,” she said.

Ms Wooding said while there were many chess competitions in Toowoomba and Brisbane, they were far less common in the Southern Downs.

“It’s certainly lovely for our students at our school to feel like they have something they feel belongs to them,” she said.

Assumption College chess competition in full swing.

Junior division winners

1st – Joash Cranney, Border Rivers Christian College
2nd – Thomas Telfer, St Joseph’s Stanthorpe
3rd – Benjamin Boddington, Border Rivers Christian College

Senior division winners:

1st – Matthew Higgins, Assumption College Warwick
2nd – Jarod Rowan, Allora State School
3rd – Liam Telfer, St Joseph’s Stanthorpe