Millfield chess teams qualify for regional finals

Millfield chess teams have qualified for the regional finals of the Schools Chess U19 tournament.

Millfield entered two teams into the first competition to take place in two years. The teams of six played against chess players from Taunton School, Sexey’s School and hosts King’s Bruton.

Millfield A team, consisting of Year 9 Jack Liu, Year 10s Nidal Shah, Stefan Chirita, Year 11s Semyon S, Isaac Searle and Upper Sixth Caspian Fowler, topped the leaderboard. Millfield B team followed closely behind comprising of Year 9s Jonathan Long, Steffi Berndt De La O, Year 10s Tansy Fowler, Arham Dabriwala, Year 11 Clara Thierry and Lower Sixth James Sclater.

Captain of Millfield A team, Caspian, said, “The tournament went really well in general. In the end we won the tournament and qualified for the next round. Special mentions to Jack on board one, Nidal on board five and Semyon on board two for winning all their games. A very enjoyable day out.”

Teacher in charge of Chess, Joe Allen, said, “It was lovely to see so many students playing and enjoying chess. There were some real nail biters but thankfully Millfield A and B teams both qualified for the regional tournament next term.”

Chess at Millfield is ever-popular with classes to cater for beginners and recreational players all the way up to those of international standard. Millfield are one of few schools to offer chess scholarships for entry into Year 9 and Lower Sixth. Old Millfieldian Max French, who left Millfield in 2020 to go to the University of Oxford, has previously played Magnus Carlsen (World Number 1) in an exhibition match whilst at school.