Ruby H (Y10) has worked with staff to generate a really sophisticated and passionate group of pupils that play chess during lunch times. Ruby is about to launch her first school chess tournament. “Chess is fascinating - always wanted to learn but I thought it was difficult, but I grasped the basics in a day. From then on, I tried to play chess every day in the hope of getting better. I dedicated an hour a day to learn some theories, gambits, attacks, or defences. I've looked at the: fried liver attack, the Caro-Kann, the London, Sicilian Queens gambit, Kings Indian, The Bishop opening, The Catalan! 

I don't aspire to become a grandmaster as I play for fun. What got me into chess was it being revolved around strategy. With my £20 prize from North Cestrian for my character development last term I ordered some books to get ahead of opponents in school. Since then, I have won a lot of rounds and without the books, research, and resourcefulness I wouldn’t be arranging the school’s first chess tournament!”