The STRS chess team stormed to an emphatic 6 – 0 victory over Bristol Grammar School in the ‘West Country’ regional semi-final of the English Chess Federation’s schools knockout competition. Our opponents in the regional final will be QEH (also from Bristol) who beat Torquay Boys Grammar School in the other semi.

Some clinical and accurate chess was played by the Rich’s boys, with the best game played by Anthony Ifeacho who twice offered his queen as a sacrifice on consecutive moves in a decisive attack.

We have progressed this far in 3 of the last 4 years, each time losing in the regional final (to Millfield, Torquay Boys and KES Birmingham). We have a great chance of qualification this year as the STRS team is as strong as it has been for many a year.

There are 13 regions across England and Wales, so we are, in effect, one of the top 26 schools in the country. The 13 regional winners being joined by 3 teams from a repechage event to make up 16 teams to compete in a 2 day finals competition in July at Uppingham School.