Chess for 2009
2009 has been a milestone year for chess at VP. For the first time, Victoria Park High has been entered into the inter-school’s chess A league, as we have more than 2 EP players in the team. Coming from the C league we have been forced to up our game, and quickly.
New to the team: we have 2 new grade 8’s in the team: Camden Wilson (board 3), and Brian Costelho (board 7). It is essential for chess to grow, as this year we say goodbye to a key player who has served chess to the best of his ability since grade 8; I wish Travis van der Riet the best of luck with his studies.
In terms of actual results, we can proudly say that this has been a great learning experience for future years to come in the A league, and as captain, I think we did very well. Congratulations to: Greg, Ashika, and Tilden and Camden on making the EP team chess team.
Draws : 1 Wins: 2 Losses: 6
Remember: Victory doth lie in the battle not the prize. And chess is fun!
The past 4 years of V.P. chess that I have experienced has had its “ups” and “downs”, we have played in 3 leagues different leagues and experienced it all.
In 2006 we played in the EP high schools chess C league. We won the league having only conceded one match. The highlight of 2006 was our match against Kirkwood at Kirkwood. We experienced a flat tyre and got help from passing cars. The atmosphere was in true VP spirit – awesome. Our Captain and number 1, Drew vd. Riet, shared the Pringle Chess Trophy for player of the year with Adriaan Wildervanck – who made the EP U16 team. Drew really succeeded in putting chess on the map at VP.
In 2007 we were promoted to the B League. Having lost 3 matric players, we were thrown in the “deep-end”. Following in his brother’s footsteps, Travis vd. Riet was elected captain and Adriaan Wildervanck had a tough year on the board one struggling to clench a victory for the team. However the year provided important experience for the team. Unfortunately we were demoted to the C league again.
2008 was an important year as we obtained many good players in grade 8, namely Tilden Plaaitjies. Under Travis’s captaincy VP won the league unbeaten. And as two of our players (Adriaan Wildervanck and Tilden Plaaitjies) made the EP team we were put into the A league.
This year has been a monumental one for Victoria Park so far. We have 5 players in the Eastern Province team namely: Adriaan Wildervanck, Tilden Plaaitjies, Gregory Geldenshuys, Ashika Morar and Camden (a very strong grade 8 with great potential). Playing in the A league, we have won 2 games, lost one and drawn one so far. We wish to keep a strong record going for VP chess to be proud of. Our team is currently very strong and working hard.
Chess is not a game for the faint hearted. I have witnessed many bloody battles and as a team, VP has come out on top most of the time. Remember, Chess is fun!
Adriaan Wildervanck (current captain).
RESULTS: A – LEAGUE
VP VS ALEX 5 : 2
VP VS PEARSON 3½ : 3½
VP VS MUIR 2½ : 4
VP VS LINKSIDE 6 : 1
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