Howell’s School pupils scoop top prizes

Congratulations to Howell’s School, winners of the ECF Girls’ Schools tournament in both the U19 and U11 categories.

This prestigious tournament was held over two days on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd April at St Catherine’s School, Bramley, who also kindly sponsored this event.

Over the 7 round all-play-all, the U19 team of Alyssa Wang, Shayanna Sivarajasingam and Neya Govindaraj held off teams from St Catherine’s, St Paul’s, North London Collegiate and Abbey School (former winners in 2013) to score an unbeaten 17/21, pipping North London Collegiate to the title by 1/2 point.

The U11 team of Venetia Sivarajasingam, Susanna Fraser and Nayana Kalavala scored even better, beating teams from North London Collegiate, Wimbledon and Yateley School to score an impressive 21/21!

The impressive chess credentials of these Howell’s girls did not go un-noticed by the organisers of the event. All team members have represented Wales internationally at the World Youth Chess Championships. The teams also contain current and former Welsh Chess Champions, British Chess Champions, a Commonwealth Chess Champion and a Welsh Ladies’ Olympiad Team member.

These girls have travelled to places as diverse as Greece, Norway, Slovenia, Brazil and UAE to represent Wales.