IN PICTURES: Gaelscoil Durlas Éile host Tipperary primary school chess tournament

Gaelscoil Durlas Éile held the first Féile Fichille primary school chess tournament in Tipperary last Wednesday, March 1.

Eighty children from five local primary schools took part in the five-round, non-competitive tournament.

Event co-ordinator and teacher Eibhlín Ní Chuinneagán said chess is very popular in primary schools at the moment. And she said the game is hugely beneficial for pupils.

“From a social aspect, thinking and as a strategic game, chess is invaluable.

“It really gets them stopping and thinking,” said Ms Ní Chuinneagán.

In attendance were children from Leugh National school, Holycross National School, Two-Mile-Borris, CBS Thurles, and of course, Gaelscoil Durlas Éile.

According to Ms Ní Chuinneagán, each school has its own chess club.

“The social aspect of it is great in that they all get to meet children from other schools, get to introduce themselves and wish each other the best and get comfortable playing with strangers, and I suppose it’s such a great game for children to learn thinking skills and strategies,” said Ms Ní Chuinneagán.

The after-school chess club at Gaelscoil Durlas Éile has 40 pupils. Gaelscoil Durlas Éile entered three teams with eight pupils in each.

Wednesday’s tournament was part of Ficheall, a network of primary school teachers in Ireland who promote chess in schools for its social and cognitive benefits.

“Just to take their time to stop and think and forward plans. To try to prevent and think forward how they are going to stop somebody getting them into trouble while at the same time trying to proceed with their own game,” said Ms Ní Chuinneagán.

Last week’s events were the first of its kind in Tipperary.

Click the purple arrows to see the tournament in action