PUPILS from two Chepstow schools have claimed victory over a Swedish team at an international chess festival.

The team of five competed in the Yes2Chess final at the London Chess Classic on Friday 8th December.

Harrison Postans, Steffan Griffiths and Thomas Davies from Chepstow School and Oliver Sapsford and Nia Rathkey from the Dell defeated their opponents on the same boards some of the world’s best players were playing on during the Classic.

The match was a double round five board contest with the the final score finishing 7.5 to 2.5 in favour of the home team.

Nia described the team’s approach to the games, she said: “I think we went for our usual tactics and saw how it went.”

The pupils played their matches on the same stage where the final round of the Grand Chess Tour was being held and even had it broadcast on the internet which was quite the experience according to Harrison.

He said: “It’s really nerve-wracking and its very different from normal competition.”

Dr Richard Stevenson, an organiser of junior chess in Chepstow echoed Harrison’s thoughts.

He said: “Obviously the result was great but what was so exciting for them is to sit where the Grand Masters were playing and have their names at their seats.”

The pupils had got the opportunity to play in the final after a strong performance at The National Schools Under 11 Chess Championship when they were all pupils at the Dell.

As the Yes2Chess competition was an under 12 event the pupils who were part of the team and had moved onto Chepstow School were able to attend.