While the majority of Maltese children were in Carnival costumes wandering around the Islands, 26 St Benedict's College secondary students battled over chessboards in the first secondary school chess tournament organised by the newly established St Benedict college Chess Academy.

Max Schröder won first prize with five wins out of five. In second and third place respectively, with four points each, came Marlon Bondin and Marlon Calleja. The former had a better Bucholtz score and was therefore declared second. Gary D'Amato took the fourth place trophy. The tournament used the Swiss system of awarding points.

The academy board presented a trophy to Luana Gatt, as the Best Female player of the tournament. At the moment, eight girls from Tarxien Girls' secondary school and Sta Lucija Junior Lyceum, both schools belonging to St Benedict's, are enrolled with the Chess Academy.

While recognising gender differences and encouraging the affirmation of identity, the academy is doing its part to strengthen the college's commitment to guarantee equal opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender, by making chess accessible to all.

"Let's all work together, students, teachers, parents and friends, to reinforce this exciting and challenging initiative - for all children to play chess," urged Ms Marilya Sciortino, college co-ordinator, at the end of the tournament.

The academy is sowing enthusiasm and providing expert training at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Ms Sciortino thanked the parents, who are supporting the chess initiative at the College, and all helpers including the academy board and the Malta Chess Federation for their sterling work to make the event a great success.

The tournament followed the success of the first primary schools chess tournament held in January. This tournament had attracted 43 boys and girls, belonging to the college primary schools, who enjoyed a Saturday afternoon of chess, with their parents, relatives and friends looking on and snapping photos from a short distance, extremely proud of their young ones.

Ten-year-old Claude Spiteri Belcher won this competition with six wins out of six games. In second and third place respectively, came Eric Muscat and Adrian Cutajar. Kristian Bugeja took the fourth place trophy while fifth overall was Gabriel Farrugia.

At St Benedict's College, chess is serving as a bridge, bringing together children of different ages, cultures and gender in an activity they can all enjoy. Through a networked set-up, the academy will continue to help students to think harder and to work smarter in a pleasurable way.

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