Sports in schools initiative...46 players for SPMC Chess Open

De la Salle's Mark Cardona, the national junior champion, confirmed his potential by chalking up a maximum seven points in a Chess Open played recently at St Paul's Missionary College (SPMC), Rabat.

Rita Saliba and Naomi Mercieca, both of St Catherine's High, won four games each, but because Saliba had to contend against tougher opponents, she was declared winner of the girls' category.

Forty-six competitors from 12 schools participated in the second edition of the SPMC tournament which was open to those under 16 years. The represented organisations were mainly Church and private schools.

In the boys' category, Glenn Fenech, also from De la Salle, finished second with six points and SPMC's Leonard Farrugia third with five points. Sarah Cachia, from the Immaculate Conception School, was third with three points.

At the end of the tournament, Fr Gerard Bonello, Rector at SPMC, expressed his hope that the Chess Open will become a permanent fixture in the calendar of the Malta Chess Federation.