Can a Lvl 1 Noob win against a Lvl 100 Mindsports member?

Written by: Ethan Sng (25S66)

Edited by: Gilbert Goh (25S6C)

On 10 April 2026, Hwa Chong Institution’s Mindsports CCA held its annual Mindsports Brain Blitz event at the Inner Plaza during lunch, open to all students. A longstanding tradition, the event featured the newly introduced King of the Hill format alongside free-play options for casual or beginner participants.

Mindsports is a board games club in Hwa Chong Institution (College) with 3 divisions that play Bridge, International Chess and Chinese Chess respectively.

This year's edition of Brain Blitz also saw the addition of the games Floating Bridge and Othello, complementing the existing offerings of International and Chinese Chess. These inclusions reflected growing student interest in Othello, as well as greater familiarity with Floating Bridge compared to the Contact Bridge format used in previous years.

The King of the Hill format introduced a competitive dynamic to the event. In this format, students challenge the reigning champion of a particular game; a successful challenger assumes the champion’s position and remains open to further challenges. Each consecutive win earns a “strike” on the scoreboard, and the non-club member with the longest winning streak receives a prize. This structure not only fosters friendly competition but also provides participants with opportunities to test their skills against stronger opponents.

Students play Chinese Chess with Mindsports CCA members. Hwa Chong Publications Society/Ethan Sng

Beyond competition, Brain Blitz serves as a platform to showcase the CCA and its members. By engaging students in matches with club members, the event raises awareness of Mindsports’ activities while encouraging interaction within the school community. It also offers a space for students to unwind, socialise, and learn new games.

Through its emphasis on casual gameplay and inclusive participation, the event fosters a sense of community both within Mindsports and across the wider student body. It creates opportunities for students to bond over shared interests and form new friendships in a relaxed environment.

In an interview, Jasmine, President of Mindsports, described Brain Blitz as the CCA’s primary platform for strengthening internal bonds. She highlighted how members connect through shared experiences—whether by teaching others or participating in friendly matches—and noted that organising the event cultivates a sense of responsibility and ownership among members.

The Brain Blitz scoreboard drawn on a whiteboard. Hwa Chong Publications Society/Ethan Sng

She also emphasised that Brain Blitz is a way for the CCA to give back to the school community. Guided by their teachers-in-charge, Mindsports seeks to better engage the student population, and the event provides opportunities for students to experience the club’s activities, relax, and enjoy themselves.

The introduction of new games and formats, driven by the creativity of the Mindsports Executive Committee, broadened participation and addressed a key gap by allowing more students to experience a competitive mindsports environment. For many, it offered a rare opportunity to engage in structured yet accessible competition.