St Jerome’s School Chess Event hailed a Fabulous Success

Ed Patten of Formby Chess Club in co-operation with Mrs Fran Whiteside, class teacher, recently organised a Chess Event at St Jerome’s School.

The children of year 5 spent the afternoon totally involved in all aspects of the game. To make the event both fun and competitive the children were divided into 2 teams, The White Bishops and The Black Knights.

The afternoon was split into 3 sessions. These were, a fun quiz about chess pieces and how they move, a chess tactics game involving pawns and rooks. The last session was a ‘Grand Finale’ when all the White Bishops played all the Black Knights.

In each session all the children gained valuable points for their team. Ed was ably assisted by his fellow Formby Chess Club colleagues who were Mike Barrett, Andre Eagle, Rob Haseman, Alan Worthington, Bob Greaves and John Grady. Mrs Whiteside, who was supported by her student teacher Rachel, picked the teams and overviewed the whole event to ensure fair play.

During the event both she and the Formby Chess Men gave the children advice and guidance on topics such as moving and protecting pieces, winning pieces and Checkmates! The excitement built up, in the class room, during the day as the children answered questions, played their games and compared points for their teams.

The Formby Chess Men who were really pleased with the welcome and enthusiasm of the children, confirmed ‘The children were so competitive and keen to earn points for their team, they were a delight to be with. In fact we were so involved that the time just flew by’.

At the end of the afternoon Mrs Whiteside and the children thanked the Formby Club members for a fabulous afternoon and hailed the event a great success. The winning team, were the Black Knights with 785 points, but the White Bishops gave a very good account of themselves with 763 points.

The children were each awarded with a certificate and a medal, from Formby Chess Club, for all their hard efforts.

If you would like to play chess then Formby Chess Club meet at Raven Meols Community Centre, Park Road, Formby every Tuesday night at 7.30pm. Or contact Mike Barrett (club secretary) on 01704 877854.