By Alesha Capone
Point Cook brothers Luke and Jack Zhang are budding chess champions.
The siblings, aged six and eight respectively, attend the Wyndham Chess Club, which meets in Hoppers Crossing and Werribee.
The club last month held its first monthly Wyndham City Shield Junior Chess Tournament, which is open to children aged between five and 16. Luke won the under-10 division, while Jack came first in the under-8 division. Both of the boys were the youngest participating in their divisions, while Jack was the youngest at the event.
Also last month, at a Wyndham and Hobsons Bay inter-school chess competition held at Seabrook Primary School, Luke placed equal second and Jack equal fifth out of 80 students.
Jack and Luke said they started playing chess because their school, Alamanda College, offers a chess coaching program. In addition to playing chess at school and at the Wyndham Chess Club, the brothers enjoy playing together at home.
“Usually what I do is use strong openings to give me a headstart in a game,” Luke said.
Jack said: “I like the king – it’s the most important piece. Also the queen as it is the most powerful.”
Details: wyndhamchess.club
