Chess Enthusiasts Compete in Optimist Club Tournament
By Shannon Street
Before the March Break, a group of talented Grade 4 to 6 students from CDS took part in the Optimist Club Chess Tournament in Aurora—an event we’ve proudly attended for the past three years. This year, for the first time, we expanded our team to include students from Grades 7 and 8, making the competition even more exciting.
Over the years, CDS has been home to many skilled chess players, but with tournament rules allowing only four players per grade, our team was carefully selected to represent our school.
The tournament proved to be an intense and exhilarating experience, with each student competing in five challenging matches. We were incredibly proud of their performance—not just for their impressive wins but for the outstanding sportsmanship they displayed throughout the day. They supported one another, shared in each other’s triumphs and setbacks, and embodied the true spirit of competition.
At the end of the tournament, we were delighted to discover we had a number of top 10 finishes. In Grade 5, Ezra Leung finished 8th; in Grade 6, Jayden Jiang finished in 6th place and Taiki Thacker finished 9th. We were especially excited to hear that Liam MacDonald, also in Grade 6 won 4 out of his 5 games, which meant that he finished in the top 5 for his age category and has qualified for the Ontario championships to be held in Toronto in May. Also capably representing CDS in the Junior School division were: Mackenzie D’Angelo-Gill, Clyde Gau, Leo Chieduch, and Aiyan Vansh.
Liam MacDonald had this to say about his experience returning for a second year. “Last year was my first tournament and I really enjoyed it, but wasn't pleased with my results. So I promised myself I would work hard to do better next time. I practiced at home and at school and I am so excited that I improved so much and have the opportunity to go to the Provincials. I want to tell everyone not to give up and that hard work and practice really pays off! I am really glad CDS gave me this opportunity."
The Grade 7 and 8 students also performed well and set an excellent example for our younger students. Congratulations to Ethan Wang, Anthony Woods, Isidore Leung, Mia Gordon-Mazzuca and Austin Cheng for their outstanding sportsmanship and play.
Please join us in recognizing Isidore Leung for his 3rd place finish, which like Liam, qualifies him for the Ontario Championships!!!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
