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Chess champions vie for national title

26 November 2008

More than 250 of Australia's brightest chess stars from 51 schools around Australia will descend upon the Clayton campus next week for the 2008 National Interschool Chess Championships.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker will open proceedings, testing his chess prowess against one of the competition's champions.

Staff and students are encouraged to come along and watch the Monash-sponsored event, which will run for two days from Monday 1 December in the Dining Hall of the Campus Centre.

Staff and students can attend free chess lecturers by 'Grandmaster Antic', former Monash student and 'International Master Jamieson', and 'National Master Depasquale' at 11 am and 3.30 pm Monday and 10 am and 2.30 pm Tuesday.

This is the third year Monash has hosted the event, which is run by Chess Kids, a chess coaching company that offers a wide range of chess services and products to schools.

Professor Shoemaker said Monash was proud to support the tournament.

"Playing chess encourages students to develop problem-solving abilities, think critically and concentrate, all of which are fantastic skills for their continuing education," Professor Shoemaker said.

Chess Kids founder David Cordover said the championships were the highlight of the year for participants.

"More than 9000 players start this event at a regional level with only 250 or so getting to play in the championships," Mr Cordover said.

"It's been great to see the massive growth in chess at the school level over the past decade.

"Obviously chess is a highly engaging game for kids, but what we really are passionate about is that the leaders of the future are building their mental muscles."

The event runs from 9 am to 6 pm Monday 1 December and 8.30 am to 3 pm Tuesday 2 December.