Tom came in from school last week saying he had signed up for a small chess tournament at school. He often play chess in break times with friends, plays with Simon occasionally and has even got to play with gite guests.
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| Tom concentrating on a practice match with Simon |
Day one of the tournament loomed and we wondered how he would do. On coming home he announced there was both good news and bad news!
"The good news," he said looking very pleased with himself , "was that I won my match against A and I am now in the semi-finals!" Tom is only in his first year at secondary school and his opponent was in his third year so we were really pleased and proud he had won.
"But the bad news is I am now going up against the best player on the school," he continued. G is also in Tom's class but has been playing chess at a club since he was five and is ranked the 12th best player in France for his age group. "I don't think I'm going to get to the final," he said, "but I'll give it my best shot!"
And he was beaten although not without holding off his opponent for a while and managing a few good moves. Well done Tom! For some-one who is pretty much self-taught we are really proud of his progress and this achievement. Chess is a brilliant game (one I wish I could play) and for children it offers numerous benefits. Research indicates it can help to:
- Raise IQ
- Increase creativity
- Improve memory
- Improve problem solving skills
- Improve concentration
- Teach planning and foresight.
- It may even help to ward off the onset on Alzheimer's .
So Tom - you have chosen well in learning to play chess and we are very proud of you. Keep at it and one day you may well win beat G and win that tournament. In between I am sure you will have a lot of fun!
Semi Finals, how exciting. A great game to be into, well done him!
ReplyDeleteHe has that sort of a mind!
DeleteIt is a mind game and people who excel in it are usually really good esp in Math. Congrats to Tom, semi-finals not bad =) #MagicMoment
ReplyDeleteHe is indeed very good at maths!
Deletewow this is a fantastic achievement! i used to play but not at the level your very clever son is! well done!
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
He certainly has the sort of brain for the likes of chess!
DeleteOh wow Rosie, how brilliant for Tom to get to the semi finals. That's an achievement in itself, just brilliant. You must have been so pleased. What a great incentive for him too. Lovely post, thank you so much for sharing #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteHe is proud of getting to the semi-final and maybe even slightly more proud that I blogged about it :)
DeleteWell done Tom, getting trot the semi-finals is fantastic! I wish I knew how to play chess, I will encourage the kids to learn though x #WhatstheStory
ReplyDeleteApparently in some countries playing chess in on their National Curriculum. What a brilliant idea that is!
DeleteWe love chess too. Such a fun game to play. Great photo of him too. #magicmoments
ReplyDeleteYou can really feel his concentration can't you?!
DeleteWow well done to Tom for getting into the semi finals, thats brilliant xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Wendy
DeleteWell done Tom, what an achievement! He done really well to get into the semi finals, hope he carries on playing. My son plays chess at an after school club and loved it, I believe it had helped him massively with his maths x
ReplyDeleteI think he will carry on - the boy who beat him gave him a chess book today and he immediately got out his board and was practising moves!
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