Tuesday, 14th June 2022 will go down in Queen Anne’s history as the date on which we as a school competed in our first ever competitive chess match.
Our opponents on the day were our neighbours from the other side of town, Kendrick – a school, boasting a long-established club membership, rich chess experience and a pool of players who have been playing for several years.
The format for the match was a 10-board challenge with 25 minutes on each player’s clock.
As you might know, chess is a sport which is unflinching in its ranking system and therefore the official conduct for a match of this kind meant that our strongest player would meet Kendrick’s strongest player on what is termed ‘top board’ or board 1, and our second strongest player would meet Kendrick’s second best on board 2 and so on.
In our role as hosts for the match – as the ‘home team’ – we also had to follow chess etiquette by offering to play as the black pieces on board 1, alternating to white pieces on board 2, and black for board 3 accordingly. (The reason for this is that the player with white pieces has the initiative right from the start, so it is a kindly act to give the guests on top board the advantage in this way.)
Representing Queen Anne’s Chess Club were the following players on the following boards:
Board 1: Gabby (L6) - Captain
Board 2: Lav (L5)
Board 3: Paris (L6) (Assistant Captain)
Board 4: Adetoni (L5)
Board 5: Hannah (L5)
Board 6: Annabel (L5)
Board 7: Millie (L5)
Board 8: Sherry (L5)
Board 9: Temi (L5)
Board 10: Emily (L6)
So we saw club captain, Gabby, earning the privilege of top board (an exciting, yet nerve-racking position), with Lav, as an experienced player, representing the second board, and chess club regulars, Paris, Adetoni and Hannah filling the top five. Other club regulars, Sherry and Temi were happy to test out their improving skills on boards 8 and 9. Millie, having joined the club in recent weeks and having shown herself to be an excellent tactical player, volunteered for board 7. Special mention should go to Annabel, another experienced player, who offered to help us at the last minute on the tough board 6 (as the Year 4 Geography trip meant that two of our regular players, Anna and Manuela, could not attend).
However, Emily must take most credit here for her bravery in playing on board 10, for not only did she offer to step in for the great Olivia (Queen Anne’s other club captain), but she did so having only learnt the basic moves the week before – an admirable gesture, and one the chess club will not forget!
Well, on to the matches. After setting up the boards, adjusting the clocks and all shaking hands, we were off!
What follows is the story of what happened...
Board 3 - Paris (QAS) vs Abi (Kendrick)
The first match to finish was Paris (playing with the black pieces) versus Abi (playing white) from Kendrick. Abi has been playing chess since she was seven years old it turns out, and she proved to be a very fine player indeed. Quite early on in the game, Abi managed to take Paris’ rook and simultaneously promote a pawn. With two queens at her disposal, Abi then swiftly finished off the game. Paris, however, must be praised for digging in and not resigning – she even managed to take back a queen before the end.
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
Board 9 - Temi (QAS) vs Arushi (Kendrick)
The next result was seen on board 9 between Temi (playing with the black pieces) and Arushi (playing white) from Kendrick. Arushi has two years of chess experience, while Temi has been learning the game since September. Some would say that Temi was fighting against the odds here; regardless, this was a well-balanced game in the opening and Temi started very well. However, a lost queen by Temi in the middle-game proved costly and Arushi managed to secure another point for Kendrick with an eventual checkmate.
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
Board 6 - Annabel (QAS) vs Joanne (Kendrick)
The third match to finish was on board 6 with Annabel (playing white) against Joanne from Kendrick (playing black). Now, board 6 is always a fiercely contested board with opponents being evenly matched for experience and skill; thus was the case here. Both Annabel and Joanne completed the opening in confident style, with the middle-game developing in similar fashion. However, the material disadvantage of a dropped bishop, followed by a subsequent lost queen, meant Annabel had too much to do in the end to claw back a chance of a win.
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
Board 2 - Lav (QAS) vs Kaya (Kendrick)
In the fight on the second highest board, Lav (playing white) found herself up against a very strong opponent indeed in Kaya from Kendrick (playing black). We found out that Kaya had had some recent success in Kendrick’s own internal tournament and her abilities were on show in this game too. The game started at a very quick pace in the opening, with both players developing pieces effectively. However, Kaya made some precise and brilliant moves in the middle-game and snatched a number of Lav’s pieces without reply. Lav fought on with a king and a few supporting pawns; however, Kaya set a final trap and captured the win with a convincing checkmate.
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
Board 5 - Hannah (QAS) vs Divija (Kendrick)
Just like board 6, board 5 is always an evenly matched affair and so Hannah (playing black) found it against her opponent, Divija, from Kendrick (playing white). The match was even for long spells, but once more, in the complex middle game, Hannah gave up important pieces without exchange and once both queens came off the board, Divija managed to capitalised to ruthless effect. The closing checkmate was a clear example of the strength of Hannah’s opponent. Much praise must be given to Hannah for taking on this battle, however.
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
So, at the halfway stage in the match, Kendrick had secured five wins and Queen Anne’s were still fighting hard for a first victory in our history. We didn’t have long to wait…
Board 4 - Adetoni (QAS) vs Saswathi (Kendrick)
Well, this was epic! This was historical! This was life-changing! Adetoni (remember the name) playing with the white pieces against Saswathi from Kendrick (playing black) managed an amazing comeback to secure Queen Anne’s our first ever point! This game was a whirlwind, to be honest. The players were both well-trained and opened effectively; however, the middle game saw Adetoni down a queen. Most players never recover from this disadvantage but the fight and determination in Adetoni was strong. She kept her head and organised her pair of rooks to produce a beautiful checkmate from out of nowhere. A great well-done, Adetoni! A great thank-you too! Please take a moment to evaluate the final board position and marvel!
Result: 1-0 to Queen Anne’s!
Board 8 - Sherry (QAS) vs Lulu (Kendrick)
This was a very solid match indeed, with few errors early on. Sherry, playing with the white pieces, took on Lulu from Kendrick, who was playing black. With 25 minutes on each clock, both players were careful and considered in their opening moves. Sherry was largely unfazed in the middle of the match when she went down a piece and still she stuck in, developing her army with a solid defensive structure. However, Lulu, a player of good experience, started to assert a greater dominance and began attacking hard. The pressure was growing on Sherry and when Lulu earned a second queen, Sherry eventually fell to a clever checkmate. A hard match and great efforts overall, Sherry!
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
Board 7 - Millie (QAS) vs Avika (Kendrick)
Arriving soon after Adetoni’s inspiring first win came our second ever in history. This was achieved after an excellent performance from Millie (playing black) against Avika from Kendrick (playing white). Both players were evidently enjoying this battle over the board and the moves were played with skill and precision on the whole. Interestingly, after a strong opening and middle-game development, Millie used her excellent tactical play to swiftly gobble up a number of Avika’s pieces without return. Millie used her advantage effectively and secured a wonderful checkmate! Great job, Millie!
Result: 1-0 to Queen Anne’s!
Board 10 - Emily (QAS) vs Paris (Kendrick)
The penultimate game to conclude was Emily (playing with white) against Paris from Kendrick (playing black). It was remarkable to think that Emily had only been playing seriously for a week, because the way she developed her pieces in the opening was very calm and assured. She set up the early position well and matched her opponent, Paris. The game was measured throughout with something of a static position forming in the middle-game. However, after a bit of sustained pressure Emily’s defence eventually gave way to a well-spotted checkmate by Paris. Well done Emily on your first competitive match experience!
Result: 1-0 to Kendrick
And so we waited for the final result. By no coincidence it was the top-board, board 1, which took the longest to complete.
Board 1 - Gabby (QAS) vs Zunairah (Kendrick)
As we know, board 1 is a real clash of the titans. So much rides on this – the pressure, the prestige, the performance, not to mention the peers watching on with hopeful intrigue.
Here, we had our club captain, Gabby (playing black) against Kendrick’s finest, Zunairah (playing white). It just so happens that Zunairah is Kendrick’s lower school champion so Gabby was really in for a tough one here.
And how it proved to be.
There was no rush on either player’s part and pieces were positioned with purpose and care. After an efficient opening from both players, we entered the middle game which produced some complex positions and lots of tension in the centre.
With about fifteen minutes of time used, Zunairah slowly applied the pressure, even going up a pawn in material. There was an opportunity for Zunairah to start exchanging off the pieces – even the queens at one stage – however, her more cautious play at this stage gave Gabby a chance to avoid this.
And, wow! How Gabby took it!
From here on, Gabby mobilised her pieces with such skill. She retaliated, applying pressure in kind and, as we entered the twenty minute mark on the players’ clocks, Gabby secured a truly wonderful checkmate. Gabby moves her own rook to the back rank, while pinning Zunairah’s rook to the white king with the black queen on the long diagonal! This is simply stunning stuff!
Result: 1-0 to Queen Anne’s
