Senior room pupils taking on Chess Lessons!

Our pupils from the Senior room are taking part in a 6 week course of Chess lessons with chess coach Seamus Duffy. There will be a chess tournament at the end called ‘Ficheal’ so pupils are very eager to learn and enjoying taking part.

Chess has so many educational benefits for the children - It helps to develop children’s critical thinking and reasoning, encourages them to plan ahead and teaches them that their actions have consequences. It also encourages problem-solving, sportsmanship and self-esteem, often allowing quieter children to shine and is great for concentration and patience.

Chess Tournament

Wicklow Junior Rapid Chess Championships Dec. 2017

Venue: Friar Suite, Grand Hotel, Abbey Street, Wicklow Town.

Date and Time: Thursday, 14th December 2017 4-7pm

Entry Fee: €9 or €15 for 2 in same Family.

5 Round Swiss Event for Novices and those aspiring to play in ICU Events.

Enquiries to Seamus Duffy e-mail seaduffy63@gmail.com  (Limited Entry)

Chess Tournament

As today was the final session with Seamus, he organised a tournament for all the pupils. Each pupil played 6 rounds, playing a new opponent each time. The pairings were worked out on a computerised system used for all competitions. The pupils had a great time and every pupil won at least one game. Seamus provided trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize and for best female competitor (in order to encourage more girls to take up chess as a sport). The top 10 received medals and everyone got a milseán for taking part. We were very proud of all the pupils taking part today, who have embraced chess, be it for the first time or as an improver. It has proven to be one of the most enjoyabe extra curricular activities we have done in the school, and as teachers, we could see the learning benefits as the pupils progressed, as well as a self esteem boost for some  pupils. Seamus has been an excellent teacher and has sparked a great interest in all the pupils in chess, and they have learned alot of skills in 7 weeks. We hope to have him back in the school again, and we will be keeping up the practice, so were ready for any competitions that might come our way. Look below to see photos of all the action!