Twenty pupils from as far afield as Queenstown battled it out at the championships held in Dunedin on Saturday.
Chris Cho (12), of Balmacewen Intermediate School, said there was a simple reason why he played chess.
"I am good at it. Although I prefer to play video games."
His advice to budding chess players is as black and white as the board on which it is played.
"Develop all your pieces, get them out to attack, [and] don't sit back and wait."
Reflecting on his first-round loss was Thomas Baker (11), of Arthur Street School, who lamented a move to take his opposite's queen, which resulted in him being checkmated.
"I didn't think that one through."
Carolyn Kirkpatrick, of Queenstown, said she was not sure how to play chess, but she was enjoying watching her sons Colin (9) and Liam (10) take part in their first chess tournament.
"It is good to give them an opportunity to play against other like-minded children."
Club spokesman Quentin Johnson said he was pleased with the turn-out for the annual event.
Results. -Individual: Joseph Brown (Balmacewen) 1, Chris Cho (Balmacewen) 2, Joel Smith (Balmacewen) 3.
Best individual 10 and under: Logan Xu (Andersons Bay).
Best girl: Hebe Hilhorst (Closeburn Academy).
Best team: Balmacewen.
