By Natasha Fujimoto
THOUGH there has been an influx of younger players at the Shepparton Chess club in recent times, the stalwart club faithful were both amazed and stirred from their games when eager, four-year-old Isaac Pearce walked in one day, ready to play.
Accompanied by his father Luke, Isaac further impressed the club when it became clear that he could not only move each of his 16 pieces correctly but could think and strategise several moves ahead.
A passionate chess player for well over 60 years and once a junior South Australian chess champion himself, club president David Wynne said, “I’ve never seen someone in all my years as young as Isaac come in, sit down and play a game. It is beyond remarkable; this little fella has something special.”
Gladdened by the chess club’s warm receptivity of his young son, Luke said that Isaac has enjoyed playing all the varied abilities and ages at the club.
“Isaac has only been playing chess since February but all of the players at the club have responded very well to him and have been very aware that he is only four, and though they are better than him they’re happy to teach him a few things along the way, which has been great.”
A promising player who can already concentrate on a game for well over an hour, Luke said Isaac fills his days with chess, whether it’s playing a game with him or by undertaking chess puzzles on the iPad.
“When Isaac was younger, he was drawn to numbers and I think there must be a link between maths, strategic thinking and playing the game. I imagine his brain looks for that sort of thing and chess gives it to him,” Luke said.
