Wilson’s chess players were excited to take part in Rapidplay at Eton, a national event with more than 50 schools attending from as far afield as Manchester. Morale was high for the Wilson’s team going into the first round, seeing as we were the top seed with an average rating of nearly 2000! By the end of the day, the team would emerge victorious at the top of the rankings!
Boards 1,2,3,5 and 6 secured a win quite quickly; however, there was one game still left to go. After unfortunately losing his queen to an obscure chess rule know as ‘touch-take’, Balahari (Year Nine) had a mountain to climb to even secure a draw in the game, but—thanks to an unrelenting defence from Balahari and pressure on the clock—his opponent finally blundered and Balahari managed to miraculously pull a win out of his hat. In the following round, we had another smooth sailing victory with five out of six players winning.
Denis, our top board player, lightened the mood with a touch of humour, dubbing himself the team's "sacrifice" as he faced the daunting challenge of playing against exceptionally strong opponents. In the third round, we were matched against our long-standing rivals from Magdalen College School. Denis engaged in a spirited battle against a formidable 2540-rated Fide Master, holding his ground admirably through the opening and middlegame. However, in a gruelling and protracted endgame, the relentless pressure eventually took its toll, leading to Denis's eventual concession. Despite this setback, the round concluded with a sense of accomplishment, as victories were secured by Rahul and Shlok. Raghav managed to secure a hard-fought draw, and Shivam, against all odds, snatched a draw from the brink of defeat—a crucial half-point that would prove decisive later on.
For the fourth round, we once again had a smooth sailing victory with 5 out of 6 players winning. In the final crescendo of the chess tournament, we embarked on the final round, trailing by a single crucial point. The stakes were astronomical. On our top three boards, it appeared as if adversity was insurmountable, with defeat looming ominously. In an unexpected twist of events, Rahul and Shivam, from seemingly lost positions, exhibited extraordinary insightfulness, staging a miraculous comeback. While our top board ultimately succumbed to the pressure, the valiant triumphs on the adjacent boards by Shlok and Balahari infused our team with newfound vigour.
Meanwhile, our fourth and fifth boards sailed to easy victories, bolstering our collective confidence. Only Raghav’s game remained, and he only needed a draw to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. In the end, he secured us a win by a mere half-point.
In the realm of competitive chess, our team's performance in this tournament was marked by a mix of challenges and standout achievements. Denis, our top board player, secured a respectable 2 out of 5 points, showcasing his determination and resilience despite playing very strong opponents. Rahul's impeccable record of 5 out of 5 points demonstrated his exceptional skill and unmatched perspicacity. Shlok's flawless 4 out of 4 record reflected his tactical prowess and focus. Shivam and Raghav both displayed strong performances with 3.5 out of 4 points, highlighting their strategic acumen. Akshay, who made his debut for the A team, contributed an impressive 2 out of 4 points, playing through his nerves. Undoubtedly, he will continue to represent the school at this high level!
Congratulations to all our chess players on this very fine win!
