This week Emmanuel College students proved they were the best problem-solvers when they beat teams from Brauer and Warrnambool colleges at Chess Victoria’s secondary school zonal tournament at Emmanuel College.

The win by Emmanuel’s two teams, which each comprise five players, sends them to the secondary school state finals at Brighton Grammar on October 13.

Grant Brissett, also an Emmanuel College teacher, said chess taught calm, sequential thinking — a very handy life skill.

He said the college had a chess club with about 15 keen players.

Mr Brissett coaches many of the club members and said many of those representing the college at this week’s tournament played chess every day at school.

One of the competitors, Warrnambool College year 11 student Corey Johnstone, 16, said chess was a favourite hobby and he had played since starting secondary school.

He was undeterred by its “nerdy” image and loved the challenge of taking on a bigger talent pool that tournaments presented, he said.

Chess Victoria president Leonid Sandler helped run the Warrnambool tournament and said his organisation was keen for more people from regional Victoria to take part in state finals. 

Mr Sandler, an international chess master who emigrated from Russia, said he had seen the number of chess players grow during his 22 years in Australia and there was good interest in Warrnambool in the game.

However, one of the big challenges the game faced at secondary school level was getting more girls involved.

Only one girl competed in the zonal tournament in Warrnambool and was a sure thing to win the best girl in tournament prize, an incentive offered to attract more females.

Chess will again be in the local spotlight when the Warrnambool Chess Club runs its annual open championships on November 15-16.