Ashburton College’s Keno De Leon faces off against Burnside High’s Jayon Thomas during the South Island Schools’ Chess Championship yesterday. Photo supplied.Droves of young chess players descended on the Ashburton Intermediate School hall for the South Island Schools’ Championship yesterday.

The air was thick with concentration as 64 competitors from Dunedin, Christchurch, Ashburton and beyond faced off in five rounds.

The event was organised by the New Zealand Chess Federation, and saw trophies handed out for the top primary, intermediate and secondary competitors.

Ashburton Chess Club’s Ken Pow said it was around the eighth time Ashburton Intermediate had hosted the championship.

The standard of play was high, as all competitors had already qualified for the national championships, he said.

By Katie Todd © The Ashburton Guardian - 5 September 2018