Dylan from Pakenham Secondary College was one of 93 students putting his chess skills to the test on Tuesday. 86165 Picture: MEAGAN ROGERS.

By LILLY O’GORMAN
CHESS fever took hold of Pakenham Secondary College on Tuesday, with its students earning silver and bronze at a tournament hosted by the school.
The two teams from Pakenham as well as students from Gippsland Grammar, Glen Waverly Secondary College, Flinders Christian College, Beaconhills College and Mentone Grammar participated in the all-day tournament, as part of the Chess Kids Interschool competition.
Gippsland Grammar took out the gold medal on the day, with Glen Waverly Secondary College in a tie for bronze with PSC.
Pakenham Secondary College teacher Christian Ampodan started the
chess club last year with colleague Sergio De Lima, and has watched it rapidly grow in popularity.
Mr Ampodan said he was impressed with his students’ silver and bronze medals, as it was only their second tournament.
“They exceeded our expectations, because some of our students defeated some of the top players from the other schools,” Mr Ampodan said.
“It started as a supplementary activity for maths classes because we believe chess helps with critical thinking.
“Secondly it is a fun recreational activity for the students.
“Last year when we organised this only a handful kids played, now there are around 20 to 30 that play during lunch time. The club is slowly getting bigger.”
Another tournament will be held at the school in term four.