St. Mary CSS hosts fourth annual PVNC Catholic secondary school chess tournament

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 16 grade 9-12 chess competitors represented four PVNCCDSB secondary schools in a knockout, double elimination style, chess tournament. 

The energy and excitement was contagious from the opening round, as players from St. Stephen, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Mary, and Holy Cross Catholic Secondary Schools participated in friendly matches before settling into the seeded tournament games. 

In the end, Lev Khaimovich, grade 9 student from St. Mary CSS, claimed the Individual Championship after defeating Filbert Shibu, grade 12 student from Holy Cross CSS, in a thrilling final round of the tournament. Despite suffering an earlier defeat at the hands of Shibu, Khaimovich conquered the final elimination bracket, illustrating his resilience and determination. 

Holy Cross CSS did not leave Cobourg empty handed. Their team of four was able to bring the team championship title back home to Peterborough, as a result of placing four players in the top eight, and two players in the final four.

The PVNC Catholic High School Chess league looks forward to even larger and equally exciting board-wide chess tournaments in the spring of the 2024/25 school year.