Students from Sacred Heart School Geeveston, Tasmania, and the Australian International School Bangkok (AISB) will compete in a groundbreaking online chess tournament on Wednesday, 20th November 2024 at 12:30 pm AEDT (8:30am Bangkok time). The event bridges over 7,500 kilometres, connecting young chess players through digital technology.
The match unites two contrasting worlds: AISB's bustling Southeast Asian metropolis of 15 million people and Sacred Heart's serene setting in Tasmania's Huon Valley, a region known for its apple orchards and pristine wilderness. While their environments differ dramatically, both schools follow the Australian curriculum and share a strong chess culture fostered by dedicated teachers who recognise the game's educational value.
"Chess is much more than just a game – it's a powerful educational tool that transforms how our students think and learn," says Jacob Wootten from Sacred Heart. "When children engage with chess, they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that directly translate to improved performance in subjects like Mathematics. We've seen firsthand how it builds patience, resilience, and memory while teaching students to plan ahead and consider consequences."
Sacred Heart recently celebrated its first annual 'Chess Olympics,' which saw 45 students compete across different year levels. The term-long competition combined learning with friendly rivalry, showcasing both strategic thinking and sportsmanship, with strong community support from over 100 spectators at the finals.
At AISB, the chess program has flourished since the establishment of its first Chess Club in 2010. Under the guidance of John Chambers, the school implemented a Chess Ladder system to encourage friendly competition. AISB's commitment to chess has led to numerous achievements, including a third-place division finish at the prestigious Harrow International School tournament in 2012, competing against 300 players from across Southeast Asia.
The school's 'Chess Player of the Month' competition, initiated in 2015, has become a cornerstone of AISB's chess culture. Held on the last Saturday of each month, it regularly attracts 30-40 participants and has inspired students to compete in tournaments throughout Bangkok.
Each school will field a team of 10 players, including Charlie Waites, a former AISB student who now attends Sacred Heart. The tournament will follow standard international chess rules, and will be live-streamed to both school communities.
"This international chess match represents more than just competition – it's an opportunity for cultural exchange and learning," says John Chambers, AISB Chess Coordinator. "Through chess, we're building bridges between rural Tasmania and urban Bangkok, showing our students that they're part of a global community."
The public can follow the tournament online through AISB’s social media channel, https://www.instagram.com/australianisb/?hl=en.
Results will be announced immediately following the completion of all matches, expected around 2:00pm AEDT.
Available for interview:
● Jacob Wootten, Sacred Heart School Geeveston
● John Chambers, Australian International School Bangkok (AISB)
Media Contact: Samuel Cairnduff
RESONATE Communications
samuel.j.cairnduff@gmail.com | 0401 396 755