For the second year, Westbourne House School entered the UK Chess Challenge, which is the largest children’s chess tournament in the world.
Around 1,200 UK schools enter the opening round which takes place in their own school. Westbourne House entered 18 children in this year’s competition and eight of our pupils qualified for the next round known as the Mega-Final. These children were Tom Howeson, Henry Langford, Alex Witcomb, Honor Pennant, Natasha King, Olly Wilson, Euan Cleallsmith and Nathan Smith. This was no mean achievement; 40,000 children enter and only 6,500 children compete in the Mega-Final.
Alex and Honor were unable to take part in the Mega-Final due to their residential and Tom chose not to take part (as he is trying to qualify to play for England).
On Saturday Henry, Natasha, Olly, Nathan and Euan took part in the Sussex Mega-Final in Hassocks. Nathan and Olly achieved the qualifying score to take part in the next stage, the Giga-Final, in London in late June. This is a fantastic outcome as only 2,400 of the original entrants manage that feat. Congratulations and good luck to Nathan and Olly, and well done to all our participants who all secured excellent wins on the day.