Prep school pupils competing in the College's inaugural Blitz Chess Championship

Playing chess at the double

Six local Prep schools took part in the inaugural Epsom College Blitz Chess Championship, which took place in Main Hall last Friday.

Teams of four Year 3-6 pupils from Aldro, Newland House, Priory, St John's, Solefield and Yateley Manor took part in the round robin tournament, which saw them pit their skills against each other in this fast moving chess format where moves are made against the clock.

Nicholas Bradley, the external chess teacher at Newland House, provided help and advice both in the planning stages and at the competition itself, which was overseen by College English master Iain McClure.

The afternoon proved to be both educational and fun with a high standard of play from all the competitors. Overall scores put Yateley Manor in first place with 76 points, Aldro second with 66 points and Newland House third with 55.

Such was the success of this first tournament that it is planned to make it a regular feature in the Epsom College Prep Schools' event calendar.