Chess team among the winners at international championship

The School Chess team achieved both individual and team success at this year’s Millfield International Schools’ Chess Team Championship.

Captained by Anup Desai of Year 13, the team went through to the Major Competition where they scored 47 out of a possible 60 points, winning the competition at Millfield School in Somerset by a commanding 10-point margin.

Prior to this they had qualified for the Major Competition after finishing in eighth position following the first two qualifying rounds – narrowly missing qualification for the Championship section, which is for the top six schools.

Board Prize winners were:

• Ananth Balaji of Year 7
• Jake Breindel of Year 8
• Joseph Levene and Kieran Chan of Year 9
• Ben Collins of Year 10
• Luka Sugita and Neel Popat of Year 12

“We had a highly enjoyable two days of chess and I am delighted that the boys have brought several trophies back to Queen Elizabeth’s,” said teacher Geoff Roberts, who leads chess at QE. “It was very pleasing that the whole team were able to bring out their best chess in a national competition against high-quality opposition. The strong team ethic, which enabled the boys to perform so well in spite of the slight disappointment of the first two rounds, was due in no small part to the leadership skills of QE Chess Captain, Anup Desai.

“I am also delighted with the performances of the three Year 7 boys, representing the School for the first time; Ananth Balaji and Yousuf Chowdhury both performed strongly in the main tournament, while Louis Waloschek won the reserves tournament.”