Chess

Captain: Bastian Nicolson

Vice Captain: De Wet Mulder

“You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win.” – Jose Capablanca

Chess at Clifton has excelled this semester. Our chess team bring a competitive edge to the game, and they are showing wonderful diligence and passion for the game. The chess team has travelled to fixtures at Cowan House, Merchiston and Laddsworth, and the bus journey is often as enjoyable as the fixture. We hosted Cordwalles in our Pavilion on 28 April and the visiting boys (and adults) were in awe of our beautiful campus in the country! Some were even brave enough to attempt the obstacle course during the short tea break. Our senior chess team travelled to Pietermaritzburg and played in a three-way tournament against TWC and Laddsworth.

The Senior Primary players have had many opportunities on a Thursday afternoon to practice and foster their understanding and passion for the game. They continue to sharpen their thinking skills and strategies by playing other capable players, and their game strategies are becoming quite hard to beat. Chess games are won or lost during fixtures, but the real art and joy of chess comes in the simple moments whilst practicing at school. The beauty of this game is that it levels the playing fields. Age has no merit and the youngsters love attempting to defeat the adults and those older than themselves.

The interest our youngest chess players have shown for the game is heart-warming. The Junior Primary children have a dedicated “Chess Club”, every Friday afternoon from 12.30 to 1.15pm in Mrs Whitehead’s Pre-School classroom.

Bastian Nicolson (Grade 7) and John Bubb (Grade 5) were selected to represent Clifton at the annual Midlands Chess Championships held at Cordwalles on 9 June. The event saw participation from several local schools. The Swiss chess format was played and they each played five games. Each game was twenty minutes long and they used a chess clock during each competition. Bastian won four of his matches, with his only loss coming down to just one second! John also secured four wins. As our junior and senior representatives, John and Bastian, together ranked second overall in success. We are immensely proud of Bastian and John for their skill, courage, perseverance and sportsmanship.

We commend, and are immensely proud of, all our children who have attended chess club, practises, tournaments and championships. They can be very proud of their efforts, victories, dedication and even their good-mannered sportsmanship during defeats. 

Continue loving the game!