Holy Cross Chess Rebels Win Best Regional School Title at 2025 Gardiner Chess State Finals! 

Over the weekend, the Holy Cross Chess Rebels - represented by Oscar G, Keith Z, Zaiden G, and Ryan B - competed in the Open Primary Division of the prestigious 2025 Queensland Inter-School State Finals, hosted by Gardiner Chess. 

This elite, invite-only event brought together over 200 students from 40 schools across Queensland, showcasing the finest young chess talent from both metropolitan and regional areas. Among this fierce competition, the Holy Cross team not only performed brilliantly but were officially awarded the title and trophy for Best Regional School in Queensland.

The tournament was conducted under the official rules and standards of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), the international governing body of chess. Students competed in classical-format games, where each match could last over two hours, demanding sustained concentration, strategic depth, and emotional resilience. The event ran from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday, with multiple rounds played each day. This rigorous structure tested not only the players’ chess ability but also their stamina, focus, and sportsmanship across two full days of high-level competition.

This recognition places Holy Cross at the very top among hundreds of regional primary schools across the state - a truly extraordinary achievement. Their success reflects not only strategic brilliance and teamwork but also the strength of the chess program at Holy Cross School and the rising talent from Far North Queensland. 

Congratulations Oscar, Keith, Zaiden, and Ryan - you’ve made Holy Cross and our entire community incredibly proud! 

A Heartfelt Thank You 

The Holy Cross Chess Rebels' journey to becoming Queensland's Best Regional School would not have been possible without the unwavering support and guidance of our dedicated chess coaches and community partners. 

Special thanks to Daniel H, Kerry W, Sam C, and the Cairns Chess Club for their invaluable contributions, mentorship, and encouragement throughout the Rebels' development. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the teachers and staff of Holy Cross School, whose ongoing support, enthusiasm, and belief in our students have helped foster a thriving chess culture and made this achievement possible.

Warm regards,

David Gunter
Chess Club Coordinator