Student Spotlight: Discover Their Journey

At Chesscolastics, our core mission is to unlock and cultivate the hidden potential within each of our students. We believe that chess is not just a game but a powerful tool for personal growth, cognitive development, and life skills.

We recognize that every student has their own pace and learning style, and we are dedicated to providing a supportive environment where they can thrive. Whether they are beginners or experienced players, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for chess and personal excellence. Ultimately, our goal is to empower students to discover their strengths, think critically, and excel in all areas of life.

Meet one of Manitoba's top young chess players – Rhailey Punay

“I became interested in chess in 2020, during the time when we weren’t allowed to leave the house. My dad had taught me how to play when I was younger, but I didn’t pay much attention to it until I started watching chess videos on YouTube. I began playing on Chess.com regularly, and whenever there was free time at school, I’d play with my friends. I also always wanted to play with my parents, though I rarely won.

This continued until April 2023 when my mom registered me for a scholastic chess tournament. At first, I wasn’t thrilled about it since I didn’t enjoy the competitiveness, but after I won, I became eager to improve and participate in as many tournaments as possible.

My parents fully supported my interest in chess and were willing to travel outside the city for tournaments, like those in Brandon, Manitoba, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in June 2023.

That same month, my parents hired Jojo as my coach. He has been with me since and has helped me win several tournaments, including the 2024 Manitoba High School Chess Championship, four other scholastic tournaments, and two tournaments in Brandon. I’ve also placed second in multiple tournaments, such as the 2024 Grade 8 Provincials and the Manitoba Junior Chess Championship, among others.

Thank you very much, Chesscolastics, for being there for most of my chess journey and for helping me improve to where I am now and where I’ll be in the future.”