The 2008 Hong Kong Junior Chess Championships attracted more than 180 participants. It was held at the Kowloon Technical School on November 8 and 9. Many parents were there to encourage their children.
Organised by the Hong Kong Chess Federation, the competition divided participants into four groups - under-18s, under-13s, under-10s and under-7s. Competition in the under-18s and under-13s categories was most fierce.
Melvin Yu Chun-ho, a Form Seven student from King George V School, was the champion in the under-18s playoff, finishing with 5.5 points to win the competition.
'I have been taking part in this competition since I was seven,' he said. 'In 2005, I won the championship and I really hoped to do it again.
'This year's victory is very special because it is the last year I can participate in junior competitions.
'I play chess to strike a balance between physical and mental activities. I play hockey and swimming and I want to do something less physical that challenges the mind.'