Canadian soldiers land in Kingston, Ont. for national chess championship
CTV
Some of the Canadian military's best chess players are in Kingston, Ont. this weekend.
Some of the Canadian military's best chess players are in Kingston, Ont. this weekend.
The Royal Military College is hosting the 13th annual Canadian Military Chess Championship. Fifty players are competing.
Chess is considered the oldest military war game that is still being played today.
Players say it's not just fun, it helps them on the job, too.
I think it’s really a great task to work on your mental fortitude," said Officer Cadet William Toan Than, "your analysis, your strategic skills. Don’t make any mistakes."
The tournament is open to active or retired Canadian Armed Forces members, and active or retired Department of National Defence civilians. "It’s a great tool to really refine your critical thinking skills," Officer Cadet Tristan Baller said. "To be able to think deeply about something, to sit down and concentrate and try to work out problems; you know, think ahead. It’s definitely something that’s applicable to everybody."
The Canadian Military Chess Championship is a qualifying event for the chance to represent Canada at the NATO Chess Championship in Slovenia this September.
