Cottesmore hosts 42nd annual ‘Cottesmore Chess Congress’

Cottesmore School was delighted to host its annual ‘Cottesmore Chess Congress’ this month. The congress is a collective celebration of local chess talent, with invitations extended to over 15 Independent Prep and State Schools in the county.

Each school was invited to submit a team as their representatives in the competition, with each team comprising of three children at Prep school age, between ages 8 to 13. As host, Cottesmore submitted two teams, this year included a regional chess champion.

In 2018, the individual winner was won by a Cottesmore pupil and Cottesmore’s team finished in second place.

This year’s Cottesmore Chess Congress commenced at 9:30am, 48 players taking part, with a total of six rounds and the day concluded with prize giving for both team and individual winners.  The 2019 team winners were Brighton College Lower School with Cottesmore finishing second. With even tougher competition this year, including a British Champion, two England players and sixteen county players, the individual 2019 winner was awarded to a Cottesmore Year 8 boy.

Having taught Britain’s youngest Grand Master, and three times winner of the Congress, Cottesmore’s Chess teacher Jonathan Tuck is well acquainted with the talent on show. Tuck says “this is the best quality chess school competition in the country, with over half of the entrants playing at county standard”. He adds “it is an absolute privilege to be part of this event which is held in such high regard by all participants”.

Chess is a much celebrated sport at Cottesmore and as such, is part of the sport curriculum. The tournament has an illustrious history of winners, with 21 of the previous 22 Cottesmore Chess Congress winners going on to play for England.