Pawn-demonium! Carlton Gardens Primary hosts its first chess tournament

Words by Carlton Gardens Chess Club

In an exciting first for the Carlton Gardens Primary School (CGPS), the school has hosted and also triumphed in its inaugural chess tournament held on November 8.

The contest drew a crowd of young strategists from across metropolitan Melbourne competing for qualification to the state final.

The event saw 12 talented CGPS students compete alongside visiting children from 14 other primary schools, with Candlebark School fielding the most participants, with a team of 19.

For many students, including the majority of the CGPS team, this was their very first experience in a formal chess competition, but that didn’t stop them from making an immediate impact.

The tournament featured seven rounds of intense, fast-paced matches, with participants ranging in age and experience level.

Each game has tested the players’ strategic thinking, patience, and ability to adapt under pressure. Despite the tournament’s competitive nature, the atmosphere was one of camaraderie, as players shared tips and celebrated each other’s successes.

The field was strong, with top contenders from schools like Candlebark and also Glendal, which brought their own seasoned players to the table.

However, CGPS ultimately emerged victorious, securing first place after a nail-biting series of matches. The school’s players, led by the Batyrbekov brothers, showed incredible skill, teamwork, and determination, especially given that many of them were new to the competitive chess scene.

“What a great achievement and opportunity for our students,” CGPS principal Nathan Gage said, reflecting on the team’s win.”

“For some, this was their first tournament ever, so to see them come together, work as a team, and play with such focus was truly inspiring,” he said. “It’s a testament to the hard work they have put in over the past few months to prepare.”

Candlebark School, which had been a strong contender throughout the day, claimed second place, while St Andrews Primary secured third position. Each school’s performance showed not just individual talent, but also the value of chess programs that foster discipline, critical thinking, and resilience in young minds. 

Tournament director Tim Broome from Northern Star Chess commended CGPS for the state-of-the-art facilities and the strong volunteering team put together to run the event.

He noted that “chess is a great way for young people to develop the ‘16 Habits of Mind’, which are life skills that go beyond boosting academic performance.

“Future chess champions are those who learn best to apply the disciplines of patience, curiosity and calculation, and who do so with resilience and with a continuing love for playing the game,” Mr Broome said. 

“It always amazes me to see just how well some of these very young kids play at our tournaments.”

Having qualified for the Junior Primary State Final, the CGPS chess team is already gearing up for future competitions and is looking forward to bringing the ultimate trophy to inner-city Melbourne!

Final results and full standings can be viewed here. •