Three-day Franco-Ontarian provincial chess competition in West Nipissing

Francophone students from across Ontario are in Sturgeon Falls for a three-day provincial chess tournament.

A few hundred French-speaking students from across Ontario are in West Nipissing for a three-day provincial chess tournament.

Students are battling on the board for the right to compete at the national competition this summer as they put their strategies to the test and try to outmanoeuvre their competition.

During the matches, there’s absolute focus from Joseph Levac as he patiently waits his turn in hopes his opponent makes a mistake.

He’s been playing since his former school started a chess club.

“If the opponent makes a move, I just like to try to defend or attack,” Levac said.

“Mostly I attack more.”

Chess requires focus and strategy as players look to checkmate their opponent’s king.

Students at the tournament said you never stop learning or mastering the game, which is why the young chess enthusiasts keep playing.

“I won two games so far and I’ve played five,” student chess player Kinley Hill said.

More than 325 Franco-Ontarian students from as far south as Hamilton and as far north as Kapuskasing are competing in this provincial competition.

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“It gets tougher. Like if you win the first game, it gets tougher and tougher,” Levac said.

“Like my last game, it lasted an hour. Which is very long for a chess game.”

Tournament organizers from Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord said they are seeing a revitalization of the classic board game.

“It’s a bit of a chess culture that’s happening in French Ontario,” said organizer Luc Larocque.

“Many kids are getting into it. Especially with the new math programs in Ontario schools. They start learning in Grade 1, Grade 2.”

Connor Michaud said he has been playing chess since he was four years old, when his grandfather taught him how to play.

“I’ve been playing ever since,” the young chess prodigy said.

The provincial championship is divided into four grade categories: junior kindergarten to Grade 4, Grades 5 and 6, Grades 7 and 8 and high school level.

There are six match rounds taking place over the three-day competition.

It’s expected around 75 of the best competitors will qualify for the Canadian Youth Chess Championship in Surrey, B.C., which is set to run from July 8-11.

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“I did go to nationals last year and that was in Montreal,” Michaud said.

“I played seven games and won 3.5. So, that’s three wins and a draw. So, I got 25th in that competition.”

Many of these students hope to make a move closer to becoming Canada’s next chess master.