Girls poised to take crown in chess championships

Liubava is hoping to win again this year

Some of Surrey's best young chess players are busy practising their Queen's Gambit to take the crown in a national competition this weekend.

The girls-only National Schools Chess Championships will be hosted by St Catherine's School in Bramley on Saturday and Sunday.

Among those competing will be eight-year-old Liubava, who is the current UK under-eight girls champion and a pupil at St Catherine's.

"I'm really excited because we're going to play against girls from some of the strongest schools in the UK this weekend," she said.

"It feels special to be part of something so big — and I really hope our school team will win!

"I've been practising my endgames and some openings, and solving puzzles too."

Naomi Bartholomew, the prep school's head teacher, said: "Chess is often regarded as a game of intellect, strategy, and patience.

"While historically dominated by men, the tides are shifting, and girls and women are increasingly making their mark in the chess world."

'Intense'

Son Nguyen, a chess co-ordinator at the school, said: "I am absolutely amazed by the rising popularity in girls' chess in general and this competition in particular.

"This year we had to stop taking entries weeks earlier than planned due to the huge number of participants and schools."

He added there was a "real buzz of anticipation and competitiveness" ahead of the championships, but that there is usually also "a sense of collaboration and supportiveness between the girls".

However, he said he still expected some "intense matches" this weekend.

And one eight-year-old chess prodigy is ready for battle.

Liubava's mother, Alina, said her daughter has had "lots of chess training — mostly self-directed using computer programs or online resources — and a pretty busy tournament schedule.

"This past week she's been focusing more on rest and getting her strength back after a recent cold.

"I hope that'll pay off this coming weekend!"