The senior TAS chess team will progress to the semi-finals of the Sydney Academy of Chess’ Interschool Chess Challenge in Newcastle next term, having won the regional round at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth on 17 June.
One hundred and seventy six students from 10 senior schools played 88 boards, with undefeated TAS Year 11 student Ali Ahsan placing first overall. Fellow TAS student Joshua Stevenson finished equal second with six wins and one loss but on a countback came fourth, and TAS won the secondary schools division.
“It was a good competition. I had three tough games, but the toughest was probably the one against Josh,” Ali said.
“There was also quite a festive atmosphere. When players finished their games, they would go and support and cheer their teammates who were still playing.”
A team from TAS Junior School also did well, coming fourth from nine schools.
The TAS chess team has notched up some solid wins since a rigorous selection process in Term 1. In the first round of the NSW Junior Chess League they were up against O’Connor Catholic College, who were state finalists last year. Enthusiasm was not enough to win the day, with O’Connor winning 5-3, including a nail-biting game that lasted for two hours.
In the second round, against Glen Innes High School, TAS was victorious in all games. The third game will be played against Tamworth’s McCarthy Catholic College on a date to be fixed.
Chess also featured as part of the annual sporting fixtures against Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School last month, with a 4-all result.
The school team is looking forward to further competition, including against the Old Boys on Old Boys weekend in August, and Sydney Boys High a week later.
The senior TAS chess team will progress to the semi-finals of the Sydney Academy of Chess’ Interschool Chess Challenge in Newcastle next term, having won the regional round at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth on 17 June.
One hundred and seventy six students from 10 senior schools played 88 boards, with undefeated TAS Year 11 student Ali Ahsan placing first overall. Fellow TAS student Joshua Stevenson finished equal second with six wins and one loss but on a countback came fourth, and TAS won the secondary schools division.
“It was a good competition. I had three tough games, but the toughest was probably the one against Josh,” Ali said.
“There was also quite a festive atmosphere. When players finished their games, they would go and support and cheer their teammates who were still playing.”
A team from TAS Junior School also did well, coming fourth from nine schools.
The TAS chess team has notched up some solid wins since a rigorous selection process in Term 1. In the first round of the NSW Junior Chess League they were up against O’Connor Catholic College, who were state finalists last year. Enthusiasm was not enough to win the day, with O’Connor winning 5-3, including a nail-biting game that lasted for two hours.
In the second round, against Glen Innes High School, TAS was victorious in all games. The third game will be played against Tamworth’s McCarthy Catholic College on a date to be fixed.
Chess also featured as part of the annual sporting fixtures against Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School last month, with a 4-all result.
The school team is looking forward to further competition, including against the Old Boys on Old Boys weekend in August, and Sydney Boys High a week later.
Ali Ahsan (left) and Joshua Stevenson use their trophies as King, in a friendly game following their success at the regional round of the Interschool Chess Challenge in Tamworth on 17 June.
