On September 4, 2024, SAI International School hosted an engaging Chess Tournament designed to enhance students' analytical skills and strategic thinking. Recognizing chess as a powerful tool for developing essential life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and logical reasoning, the school organized this event to promote holistic development among its students.
The tournament featured four categories: Primary Prodigies (Grades 1-3), Junior Jesters (Grades 4-5), Middle Game Masters (Grades 6-8), and Senior Strategists (Grades 9-12). Utilizing a Swiss format with 5-7 rounds per category and a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move, the competition was structured to test and improve participants' strategic prowess.
In addition to the main tournament, a Simultaneous Display was tentatively scheduled for later, where 20 selected students had the opportunity to play against a top chess player from Odisha, further enriching their experience and exposure to high-level chess play.
Overall, the Chess Tournament at SAI International not only provided a challenging and enjoyable platform for students but also underscored the school's commitment to fostering intellectual agility and emotional intelligence through extracurricular activities.