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Hunter School of the Performing Arts

Hunter School of the Performing Arts

PERFORMING AT OUR BEST

Telephone02 4952 3355

Emailhuntperfor-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

HSPA Chess Masterclass

HSPA Chess Masterclass

 

On Monday 12 August 30 of our keenest HSPA Chess players from Y3 - Y11 participated in a half day Chess Workshop with the multiple time Australian Junior Girls Chess Champion - Kashish Christian. The large screen in the library proved an effective way to demonstrate for such a large group, and the seating booths with tables in the Central Area of the Library assured comfort throughout the 3 hours for all the participants.

The student's excitement and enthusiastic engagement within the workshop underscored the successful program Kashish (from the Sydney Academy of Chess) was able to deliver. Students as young as Y3 were introduced to Chess Notation, as well as the particular focus (including challenging puzzles and worksheets that needed to be completed) on Pins and Forks - essentials knowledge for winning Chess. 

Simon Gordon, our top rated player, was recruited to help out in a simultaneous Simul - where he got to play nearly a dozen of his less experienced peers simultaneously, whilst Kashish did likewise with the remainder of the cohort. With a little help perhaps, only one game was won by the challengers - congratulations Cooper Williams! 

To cap off the day - it was wonderful that Kashish very kindly stayed back to talk to a small number of our top rated players and play a few Blitz/Lightning games as well. Our thanks to Kashish and the Sydney Academy of Chess and to our delightful Primary and Secondary Chess students for making the whole afternoon such a pleasurable and fun learning experience.