First team round up of the season and QMGS Chess the movie

Last Friday proved not only to be a pivotal moment for Queen Mary’s in their last chess match of the season, but also signified the end of careers of some of the 6.2 veterans of the game. So rather then write a brief overview of the match, I would like to summarise the season, and careers, of these players.

The squad this year was made up of Aslan Awan, Sam Dewsbery, Kyrone Grossett, Daniel Law, Lorcan McCullagh, Fahim Nasiri, Ravi Patel and Aamanh Sehdev. This team led QM to two trophies and a National Final, putting the school back on the map and towards the top of the interschool chess spectrum.

The teams players’ each averaged 84% wins for the year, and only lost one match out of 10, despite only being formed last school year, therefore supporting the claim of being one of the strongest chess teams over the past decade!

Now we come to the individual players, and where better to start than Daniel. Despite his inability to speak, his cold-blooded approach to the game has led to many of his opponents fazed or in tears by his almost sadistic thirst for blood on the board. Sam will always be remembered for one of the most embarrassing losses seen to the game as his year 8 opponent left him hanging out to dry, while Lorcan’s sometimes questionable yet impressive wins have given him a memorable reputation.

Aslan may be seen as the tactical scapegoat in many matches, but his laid back approach to the game, though deemed unorthodox, has guided QM through to many wins, as he remains the longest serving first team player of the last two seasons. Kyrone, feared in King Edwards schools for his many sub 3 minute wins, guided us to a win in the Regional final where he remained unbeaten, and finished the year with 90% wins! Fahim Nasiri remains QMs strongest yet smallest member of the team; his baby-face looks have been overlooked by many opponents, leaving him with an unbeaten season this year in the ten matches played!

I must not forget to make two special mentions to our graded players. The first is for Ravi, who despite being reluctant to play for the team initially, has helped us through some heavy weight matches, undoubtedly winning in fine fashion. The second is Harvin Bhogal, the ex-graded player from Kenya who broke his spell in retirement last year to entertain us all to what was one of the most unforgettable matches that I can record! 

The team has had many enjoyable games, and will leave with lots of memories. As for the match last Friday, QM annihilated the winners of last year’s Division 1, King Edwards Five Ways, 6-0 leaving their last memory as potentially there best one. I’d like to thank the team, and Mr Smethurst, with a brief video of last Friday’s events.