Grandmaster Ethan

Since moving to Carlingford, Ethan had shown great interest in Chess. At the start of the school year, he asked to be enrolled in the school's Chess Club and he had been attending classes every week. He has shown potential and would often bring home awards from his chess class like best technique, clever thinking, best problem solving, etc. He'd spend countless hours watching videos of chess matches and tutorials.

At the Grand Hall of the Knox Grammar School

I remember early in the year, we'd play chess together and I can be multitasking while playing with him and I'd still beat him easily. But recently, it's gotten more and more difficult to keep up. I find that I need to concentrate on our matches more now or he'll easily put me in check. He is getting good at it.

Early this month I was contacted by the Sydney Academy of Chess inviting Ethan to participate in the Schools Chess Challenge 2018, a tournament participated by more than 50 primary and secondary schools in Sydney. Ethan's chess teacher nominated Ethan to join a select few to represent his school.

The tournament was held on Sunday, Oct 28, at the Knox Grammar School. There were more than 550 kids in attendance plus a lot more parents and grandparents in the audience. The format was 7-round swiss, where kids play 7 rounds of non-elimination matches. Each school had between 1-3 teams with 3 students in each team. Players play as individuals but their wins are counted in their team's tally.

It was Ethan's very first chess tournament so it was really exciting.
 We arrived at the venue around 8am, earlier than most (because parking!). The registrations started around 9am and after finding his schoolmates, they went into the Grand Hall to settle in with some practice games. The actual tournament started around 10:30am.

practicing with his teammate

Ethan got the early upper-hand in his first game but wasn't able to get a checkmate so the game ended in a stalemate - a draw. His teammates won their matches so they got a quick 2.5 points.

On his second game Ethan lost and immediately I saw his frustration and his mood starting to dampen. I brought him out of the venue and let him cry for a bit. He was doubting himself and was ready to quit. He said joining was a terrible idea. Pressure was getting into his head. I had to give him a 30-minute pep talk.

I convinced him to continue and prayed with him. With God's help, he won his next two games! He was so happy. It was like a thorn was pulled out of him. They were very convincing wins too. He aimed for his opponents' queens right at the start and was aggressive all throughout. And he continued playing like this up to the last of the 7 games.


He lost his last 3 games but enjoyed every bit of those games. I admired his attitude - quickly offering a handshake when he realises he's defeated, and he would then ask his opponent for another friendly match. He was composed, calm, friendly, and honourable even after a loss.

550+ players, 123 teams

Ethan ended with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses and his team stood somewhere in the middle of the 123-team standings. Despite the not-so-great outcome, Ethan was ecstatic and elated. He was thrilled to have been there, appreciative of the once-in-a-lifetime experience, he was happy to have gained new friends, and was even thankful that I bought him Caesar Salad for lunch (who would've thought?). I am just thankful for the guidance during that pivotal moment after his 1st loss.

We went home just past 4pm. I was so hungry and tired, but very happy as well for this great adventure we've experienced.

A handshake after his first win