Chess champs to represent province in Ottawa

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This article was published 08/04/2025 (414 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two students from the Brandon Knight Chess Club emerged victorious in their respective age groups at the Manitoba Provincial Chess Championships in Winnipeg last month.

The pair will represent Manitoba at the 36th Annual Canadian Chess Challenge, which will be held at the University of Ottawa May 18-19.

Martin Riquelme, a Grade 12 student at Vincent Massey High School, and Brody Fehr, a Grade 11 student at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, secured their spots at the national competition after winning at the provincial level.

A third player — James Merchan, a Grade 9 student at Vincent Massey High School — who came in third at the provincial competition, is determined to return next year with a greater focus on topping his grade to qualify for the nationals.

For Riquelme, this marks his second consecutive year competing on the national stage.

“Last year, I also won provincials representing Brandon, and then I got to go to nationals, representing Manitoba for Grade 11,” Riquelme told the Sun. “It was a good experience because it was fun for me in Moncton, N.B., because it was a big event. It was fun to play against people from all around Canada. We don’t experience it often.”

This year, Riquelme is looking forward to competing once again, this time in Ottawa, and is eager to build on his experience from last year.

Fehr will make his debut at the National Chess Championships, marking a significant milestone in his young chess career.

“It’s my first time going to nationals and I’m excited because it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Fehr told the Sun, adding that while he plans to compete hard, he’s ready to enjoy the experience regardless of the outcome.

The pressure to succeed can be intense in competitive chess, a point Fehr acknowledged.

“Sometimes there are high expectations, and it can be stressful because one mistake means you lose,” he said.

However, he emphasized the importance of remembering that chess is just a game, and the joy of playing remains paramount.

Despite the stress, Fehr is optimistic about his performance at the nationals. He has set a target of finishing in the top five, though he admits uncertainty due to the newness of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Merchan described his experience at the provincial competition in Winnipeg as rewarding.

“I’m very satisfied. It was my first provincials, and I’m glad I got third,” Merchan told the Sun.

Looking ahead to next year, he plans to intensify his practice, aiming for the top spot.

“I play every day now. I’m very dedicated to chess,” he said, adding that he became hooked on the game after watching YouTube chess content and discovering how strategic and skills-based the game is.

While Merchan did not qualify for the nationals this year, his strong finish in provincials has bolstered his confidence.

“It’s motivating me to keep pushing forward,” he said, acknowledging the support he receives from his family despite being the only one in his household passionate about chess.

The students attribute part of their success to the Brandon Knights Chess Club, which fosters a supportive environment for chess enthusiasts of all levels.

Club secretary Alex Murray told the Sun he has seen firsthand the growth of local players.

“They worked hard to get to this point and it’s fantastic to see our young players represent the province on the national stage. It also shows the growing interest and talent in chess within our community,” he said.

“They have proven themselves to be formidable opponents. They’ve been unbeatable since they were 12 because they are really good.”

The club’s impact extends beyond just playing the game. “Our club inspires the younger members,” Murray said. “We punch above our weight class — we can go toe-to-toe with Winnipeg clubs, which are much bigger than ours.”

He added the club’s membership fluctuates; it typically attracts around 20 participants and occasionally as many as 50. “We have a drop-in format, so anyone can join us on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library,” Murray explained. “There’s no mandatory fee, though donations are encouraged.”

Brandon Knights Chess Club organizer Dr. Gilbert Perez — the only Canadian to compete in the 2021 World Chess Championship for People with Disabilities — is pleading with the Brandon community to support the players on their trip to Ottawa.

“They need support in areas like transportation, accommodation and other expenses,” he told the Sun. “We will appreciate it if the community can support the player in these areas.”

For donations, Perez said, the club can reached via 204-441-0725 and brandonknightschess@gmail.com.

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