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Chess Tournaments
Inaugural chess tournaments at Deer Park
In March and April 2023, Cirencester Deer Park School held the school's first-ever Chess Tournaments, organised for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 3 respectively.
For weeks before the two events, The Powells Learning Centre (PLC), also known as the school library, was a hub of activity with pupils practising during their lunchtimes. Many pupils used a chess timer app on their phones as an alternative to traditional chess clocks.
Librarian Mrs Burton, who organised these two events, would like to thank The Friends of Deer Park who recently provided funding to purchase 4 new chess sets to enable more pupils to play at one time; the Friends also funded six new beanbags, plus additional puzzle games such as The Genius Square, Illusion Cubes, 2-Way Words and more.
The Key Stage 4 Tournament, with 16 competitors from Year 10 and Year 11, took place the week prior to the Easter break, week commencing Monday 27 March, and the Key Stage 3 Tournament was during the week we returned to school after the two week holiday, week commencing Monday 17 April, with 20 pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9.
Some of our Key Stage 4 Chess Tournament contestants:
Some of our Key Stage 3 Chess Tournament contestants:
Key Stage 4 Winner:
Nye (Year 11)
A: Since I was 4 years old.
Q: Why do you enjoy it?
A: Because I enjoy a game. I can use chess engines to see the best move. It is fascinating.
Q: How does it feel to win?
A: Good. It was satisfying.
Key Stage 3 Winner:
Tom (Year 8)
A: 3 months. I have practised 3 hours a day because I heard about the Tournament.
Q: Why do you enjoy it?
A: Because it's quite logical. You can learn formulas, which I find interesting.
Q: How does it feel winning?
A: Pretty good!
Headteacher, Richard Clutterbuck: "Not since Kasparov v Topalov in 1999 have we seen chess games played at such high standards. Both the KS3 and KS4 tournaments have given us epic battles and worthy champions. The tournaments showcased everything great chess games should be: ferocious fights, brilliance from all players, numerous tactical themes, and plenty of 'king hunts' across board after board. It is hard to imagine the next tournament topping this one, but we eagerly await the new wave of contenders for the next round of skirmishes!"
Well done to all our participants and congratulations to runners-up Josh (Year 8) and Robert (Year 11) and winners Tom (Year 8) and Nye (Year 11). It was fascinating to watch everyone's focus whilst they played. We are pleased to see so many pupils taking an interest and playing this game that came into a form that we recognise in the 16th century. There are numerous benefits to playing a strategy game such as chess, see below.
If you haven't played recently, why not dust off a board, remind yourself of the rules and have a game!
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