CO-CURRICULAR 125 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 CHESS CAPTAIN It is sometimes wonderful to behold the intricate connection between the movement of thirty-two intimate pieces and the complexities of life. This connection is profound enough to have caught the attention of extraordinary historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of the United States, who wrote about its significance despite having limited knowledge of the game. The 2024 season of Chess at St Patrick’s College brought with it many challenges and opportunities for the ever-growing chess community at the school. For the second year in a row, the school enjoyed an increase in interest fielding 6 teams across 3 divisions. It was heartening to see so many new faces join the team allowing the boys to form new connections and deepen their understanding of the intriguing, yet complex, nature of the game. Unfortunately, the 2024 season did not bring much success. Both the senior teams and the intermediate teams were eliminated in the preliminary stages of the New South Wales Junior Chess League. Some unfortunate clashes with debating, absences, and public transport issues prevented the talented Intermediate A team (Years 9-10) from advancing further. Meanwhile, the strong Junior A team (Years 7-8) had a season to be proud of. They went through the regular season undefeated, only to finish behind a formidable Ford Street team who did not drop a single point against any other team. I am proud to say that there is immense talent among the younger cohorts and it is unfortunate that the final results did not reflect the ability of these teams. It would be remiss of me not to express my deepest gratitude to Ms Karanfilovski. Thank you for kick-starting the chess program at SPC. The impact you have had on me personally, and on the broader chess culture at SPC, is beyond words. From managing trials, holding morning training sessions, organising away fixtures across Sydney on Friday afternoons, to accommodating our ambition in 2023 to compete at the National Schools Championships—your dedication has been invaluable. Additionally, I would like to thank Ms Spires and Mr De Meio (’23) for their roles in coaching and supervising teams during travel, as well as the many volunteers who made this season possible. I am truly amazed by the growth of the chess culture at SPC, and I wish this tight-knit fraternity all the best in its future endeavours. Luceat Lux Vestra Anthony Karnaout Chess Captain Anthony Karnout Playing Students To Raise Money For The Lenten Appeal
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