A GISLEHAM Middle School pupil has won the first ever inter-school Go Competition based on an ancient Chinese board game.James Cox beat Saskia Baylis from Beccles Middle School after a tense few minutes of tremendous concentration to emerge as the best strategic thinker.

A GISLEHAM Middle School pupil has won the first ever inter-school Go Competition based on an ancient Chinese board game.

James Cox beat Saskia Baylis from Beccles Middle School after a tense few minutes of tremendous concentration to emerge as the best strategic thinker.

More than 100 pupils from schools across Waveney took part in a training day back in January to perfect their Go skills, which has been used for centuries to sharpen the minds of those who play.

Each participant was given the task to teach the game to at least two friends at school, so that many other pupils, supporting parents and siblings can now play Go.

And each of the schools involved held at competition to determine the best Go players who would represent their school in the Inter-School Go Competition held at Beccles Middle School.

The competition started with 32 players who had an equal chance to qualify for the 'knock-out' rounds by playing several games against different opponents. This provided a ranking and a starting point for straight win-or-lose games and so 32 players became 16, then eight, then four.

Playing against each other in these semi-finals were Vicky Moore from Worlingham Middle School, against James Cox from Gisleham Middle School and Saskia Baylis from Beccles Middle School against Kristian Harlock from Saint Felix School.

As everyone gathered around to watch, an intense battle of strength and determination eventually saw James Cox and Saskia Baylis reach the finals.

The game was taught as part of an ongoing project for Gifted and Talented pupils in year seven and eight attending schools such as Worlingham Middle and Saint Felix Schools at Southwold.

The two-year project, funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families and supported by the Waveney Community Forum, is developed and managed by Beth Derks and Wietske Hendriksen.

The theme of this particular module is strategic thinking and mastering Go is designed to help improve that ability.