St Jerome’s School Chess Event hailed a Great Success as Formby Chess Men go back to school

Ed Patten of Formby Chess Club recently organised their third annual Chess Event with Mrs Fran Whiteside, class teacher, at St Jerome’s School.

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

The Chess Event was divided into 3 sessions; these were a Question and Answer session, a chess tactics session involving pawns and rooks. The last session was a ‘Grand Finale’ where all the White Bishops played all the Black Knights in a proper game of chess.

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 and John Grady.

Mrs Whiteside, overviewed the whole event to ensure fair play, both she, and the Formby Chess Men gave the children advice and guidance on topics such as castling, protecting pieces, winning pieces and Checkmates!

Ed Patten admitted, ‘we were a bit anxious at first but the welcome and enthusiasm of the children was excellent and soon put us at our ease. The children were so competitive and keen to earn points for their team. They were really interested and were asking questions all the time, they were a delight to be with.

At the end of the afternoon the children were very excited as the waited to see how their team had faired. Mrs Whiteside, with her class assistant, Sophie, checked all the scores and hailed the event a great success.

The winning team, by just a few points, were the White Bishops … but the Black Knights certainly gave a very good account of themselves. The children were each awarded with a certificate and a medal, from Formby Chess Club, for all their hard efforts.

If any ‘adults’ would like to play chess regularly, 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.