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The art of war: Strategy, wits, and confidence.

 The art of war: Strategy, wits, and confidence.


Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.
- San Tzu - 

The game chess was popularized by the series The Queen’s Gambit. There is nothing like a beautiful girl who can outthink and out-strategize her opponents with a little personal drama to draw your attention. But chess itself is a very old game with a military nature, dating back to 600 CE to the Gupta Empire in India. A game that can survive and thrive for that long, is a game that speaks to the nature of man - the ability to strategically position oneself in your family, friend, and societal circles.


Goodness! I am going deep here and all I want to report on is Interschools chess. The fact is that chess as a sport has grown by leaps and bounds in Girls’ High School. We have everyone competing in chess, from the shy grade 4 and the boisterous grade 5 to upcoming intellectuals in grade 12. The commitment is not always as consistent in the competitions but if it comes to Interschool the team is there en mass.


The Primary School competed in their interschool chess competition on Friday last. For the coach, Mrs. Annalize Strangfeldt, this was a proud moment. Mrs. Strangfeldt is a proud GHS teacher and to us, the development of the learner is of foremost importance. She was very proud of her learners for the growth they showed in their strategies, their team spirit, and their endurance. Sometimes, she admits, it was sooo frustrating standing next to a player, seeing that the move is not the best move and not being able to say something. Her teams played well although many of them did not win. Winning was not her end goal, only a nice bonus. Having said that, Mrs. Strangfeldt admits that seeing the disappointment on a child’s face after a loss just breaks her motherly heart. It is then that she just gives them a forgiving hug and says, we will try harder next time, and then… we will succeed.


Today is the turn of High School Chess. Team captain Annemay Schade is ready to take her opponents on. Maybe if our chess players take their positions and move their pawns they will prove to us that chess is about a strategy (send your pawns in), keeping your wits about you when the opponent's horse has jumped the gun, and defending your King with confidence and pride.


Good luck seniors we are rooting for you!



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