by Ewa Chwojko-Srawley
In Georgina, the next generation of strategic thinkers is already making bold moves — one chessboard at a time.
This year’s annual chess tournament hosted by the Optimist Club of Keswick was held on February 27 at Kin Hall.
“We’re excited to welcome 124 students from 11 local schools,” says longtime Optimist Club member Paul Thompson, who has been with the club since 1980.
The tournament has been running for more than 15 years and is open to students in Grades 1–8. It is an event in the calendar of the Toronto Chess’n Math Association and gives young players a pathway to higher-level competition.
Among the competitors were seven players from the Georgina Chess Academy, representing their schools. All seven have qualified for the Provincials which will be held in April!
Launched in January 2023, by John and Alice Burrows, the Georgina Chess Academy has quickly grown into one of the community’s most popular youth programs.
Participation is capped at just over thirty players, and with most students returning each session, there is now a wait list. “We’re as big as we can handle — it’s a nice problem to have,” says Alice.
The club’s high retention rate means the kids build real friendships and grow together over time. Its eighth session begins March 25, and is already expected to be full, welcoming youth ages 7 to 17.
An in-house tournament is planned for May 2. It will follow the format of previous years, though there has been discussion about also inviting a club from outside Georgina.
Nine-year-old Milana Haba has been an enthusiastic member of the Chess Academy for the past two years. She started playing at age six and has been steadily building her skills ever since. “I like chess because I like to plan and focus,” she says. It is a mindset that is clearly paying off. Milana has qualified for the Provincials, and she is eager for the challenge.
Ten-year-old Madelyn Petz says simply, “Playing chess is fun.” What began as a family pastime has quickly turned into a serious passion. She is now winning tournaments — and even beating her high school brother from time to time. “We love that she plays chess,” says her dad, Justin. “She came home one day and announced she had joined the chess club. The whole family could not be happier.”
In Georgina, it seems, the next move belongs to the kids!
For more information on the Georgina Chess Academy, visit their Facebook page.
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