Alex H. Gains Recognition for Outstanding Chess Playing

The school community was filled with pride following the publication of a recent article by pupil Alexander H We were delighted to read Alex's insights and we are incredibly proud of his achievements so far. We will be eagerly anticipating where his promising chess journey will lead him next...

Words by Alexander H

My Chess and Arbiting Journey

I first discovered chess when I was six years old, after my older brother introduced me to the game. To my surprise, I became completely fascinated by its depth and strategy. Every match felt like a new puzzle waiting to be solved. I soon joined Harrow Chess Club and later Hatch End Chess Club, where I began to compete regularly and make friends who shared the same excitement for the game.

Chess quickly became a huge part of my life. I am now a proud member of the EPSCA England National Junior Squad, and I’ve had the privilege to go abroad for tournaments held in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, with another one coming up soon in Amsterdam. Each event has taught me something new, not only about chess but also about focus, discipline, and teamwork.

It might surprise some people to hear that there is a teamwork element in chess. Even though the games themselves are individual, when you play for your club or your country, every player’s result contributes to the team score. You learn to encourage each other, analyse positions together, and share in both the wins and the losses. It’s a great feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself.

My interest in becoming an arbiter began when I noticed how calm and confident arbiters were during tournaments. They never seemed flustered, even when games became tense. I was really impressed by their composure and thought that if I could learn to be like that, it might help me elevate my own game to another level. When I started studying the laws of chess, I was amazed by how many more rules there were than I had ever realised! The more I learned, the more I discovered how little I had actually known — and that only made me want to learn even more.

With encouragement and guidance from some wonderful mentors, I studied hard and eventually passed the exam to become an arbiter. I’m proud to be one of the youngest arbiters in England. I was thrilled—and a little nervous—when Robin and Rock Yu from Alpha Chess gave me my very first opportunity to serve as an arbiter at one of their tournaments. I’m truly grateful to them for trusting me at such a young age.

That first tournament was exciting, but it also had its challenges. During one of the rounds, a player made two illegal moves, and I had to declare the game a loss. It was a tough moment because the players were older than me, and I felt quite nervous about making that decision. But I knew it was the right call, and afterwards, I realised how important it is for arbiters to stay fair and consistent, no matter who is playing.

Not long after that, I was very fortunate to receive another opportunity from Adam Raoof, who invited me to help arbitrate at his Golders Green tournament. It was an incredible experience, and I learned a great deal from observing how experienced arbiters manage busy events with confidence and calm.

One of the things I love most about being an arbiter is the variety. One moment I might be helping a young junior 麻豆直播 an illegal move, and the next I could be ensuring fair play in a game between titled players. Each experience helps me grow—not just as an arbiter, but as a chess player too.

Although I’m only twelve, I’m determined to keep improving and to contribute to the chess community in every way I can. The minimum age to apply for a national arbiter licence is sixteen, and I’m already looking forward to reaching that milestone. Until then, I’ll keep learning, practising, and doing my best to uphold the standards of fair play that make chess such a wonderful game.

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18th June

Pupil journalist Sam B secures national 'Student Voices' award

Our talented pupil, Sam B, Year 9, has been named one of just five winners nationwide in the prestigious ' The Day's Student Voices Young Journalist Awards 2026. Sam B clinched the honour with a compelling, insightful opinion piece titled, “Life Isn't All Sunshine And Rainbows But It's Not Doom And Gloom Either.” The competition judges praised the passion, positivity and exceptional eloquence of Sam’s writing. As part of the winner's package, the article was officially published on The Day’s global Student Voices platform on 15th June, alongside the national announcement of the competition winners. Sam’s award-winning article takes critical aim at the modern media landscape, arguing that mainstream platforms rely on sensationalism and fear to drive reader engagement. The piece contrasts historical anxieties with today's relentless news cycle, which feeds on global catastrophes. While acknowledging real hardships, Sam warns that constant access to bleak updates is mentally exhausting and traps younger generations in a false sense of hopelessness. Far from advocating for purposeful ignorance, Sam urges readers to stay informed while remembering how far humanity has progressed. The essay highlights that we are living in a golden age of technology and medical achievement. Ultimately, the award-winning piece serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's inherent resilience and proven ability to thrive in the face of adversity. As Sam beautifully concludes, "It's important to keep positive, because whatever happens, humans always adapt and never lose hope." The entire St Clement Danes community extends its warmest congratulations to Sam on this incredible achievement

18th June

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