Chess moves just child's play
Oh no: Angus Hughes, 12, reacts to his opponent's move during yesterday's chess championships.
KINGDOMS rose and fell in Cairns yesterday as more than 200 students did battle across the chess board.
The Far North Queensland primary and secondary teams championships kicked off round one yesterday at Trinity Anglican School's Bishop Centre.
For Wyatt Poumaka, 9, he said he had played his hardest game of chess ever against Trinity Anglican School schoolmate Kieran Samarkakoon, 10.
"The queen was my winning piece," Wyatt said as he shook his opponent's hand.
Mareeba State High School student Angus Hughes, 12, reckoned chess was better than sport, especially during summer.
Chess Association of Queensland's Ian Murray said the game had shed its "geek" image.
"Playing chess at school these days is like playing footy," he said.
About 212 students aged between six and 17-years-old put their minds to the test from schools across Cairns and the Tablelands.
TAS won the secondary division and St Thomas' School of Mareeba dominated the primary class.
Overall winners will be determined after the third and final round in August to head to the State championships in Brisbane in October.
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