PRIMARY SCHOOL: CHESS

Maragon offers chess as a sport at school. There are both Junior and Senior teams. Practices take place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The Inter-school league matches are played in the third term. Because each school is encouraged to enter as many teams as possible, most of our chess players are given an opportunity to play in a team. North-West Chess Tournaments are held throughout the year. We encourage all our chess players to play in the unrated and rated tournaments. These tournaments expose our children to other players, and their chess skills are enhanced. Chess develops logical thinking. It promotes imagination and creativity and it teaches independence. Players may enter these competitions from their first year in school.

Since the opening of our Grand Hall, Maragon has had the annual privilege of hosting the Gauteng West Open Chess Championships. During May, chess players ranging from six to fifty years old, descend upon our school. These players play a total of six rounds in the hope of improving their chess ranking within the Gauteng-west region. This year, Maragon will also host the April open rated tournament. Again we encourage our players to play. Chess involves commitment, dedication and practice. "Having good strategies in playing chess is often a good indication of being focused in life." (Martin Dansky)

Achievements: 2011

Cameron Bolt, a Gr 7 learner at Maragon Private School received a board prize at the North West Rand Chess Prize giving on the 18th of October. This means that he did not lose one match throughout the chess season. He has received this prize for the fourth straight year.