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National U19 Girls’ Chess Championships 2025

National U19 Girls’ Chess Championships 2025

On a rainy windswept Sunday in January, 15 determined girls travelled to St Catherine's School in Bramley to vie for a spot in the finals of the National U19 Girls' Chess Championships.

The event brought together over 130 talented players from more than 30 schools across the South of England, all competing in a gripping Swiss-pairs tournament spanning five matches throughout the day.

The atmosphere was electric, brimming with intense concentration and fierce competition. All five of our teams rose to the occasion brilliantly, showcasing a remarkable blend of bold, attacking strategies and composed, defensive play. Plenty of matches came down to the final seconds, and watching our girls stay calm under such relentless pressure was nothing short of inspiring.

I’m thrilled to share that our A team emerged victorious, claiming the semi-final trophy in style! Meanwhile, our other teams put in impressive performances, securing 10th, 17th, 20th, and 29th places out of 45 competing teams – each a result of which to be proud. The journey now continues to the two-day national final in April, where they’ll face fierce competition in an intense all-play-all format. A huge congratulations to everyone involved – what a fantastic achievement!