Chess Simul

Term 1 Chess Club Simul with International Master Leonid Sandler

On Monday 16 March, International Master Leonid Sandler returned to Mordialloc College for the first simultaneous exhibition match of the year, and the students came ready for battle.

More than twenty players turned out, a strong mix of junior and senior students all eager to test their skills against one of the best. Playing the white pieces on every board, Leonid moved through the room with characteristic calm, pausing for barely a second before making each move. The rest of us, naturally, took a little longer.

As the session wore on, the atmosphere of the room shifted. The chatter faded. The clock ticked. And then, one by one, came the unmistakable sound of pieces falling. A couple of students found themselves checkmated before the ten-move mark, leaving them with plenty of time to sit, reflect, and quietly reconsider their opening choices.

By the time the bell rang, Leonid's unblemished streak remained very much intact. Every opponent had either been checkmated or was in a position so clearly lost that the result was never in doubt. Another clean sweep.

We look forward to welcoming Leonid back in Term 2. In the meantime, there is plenty of work to do. Chess Club runs every Monday lunchtime in LC 5, and all students are welcome regardless of experience or skill level. Whether you are chasing improvement or just after a good game, come along and make your move.

Mr Roche and Ms Wong