QMGS1 4 KES1 2 - QMGS2 1.5 KES2 4.5

Last Friday saw both the first and the second chess teams come up against the highly regarded King Edwards Edgbaston. The private school was well structured with 3 graded players in their first team, and a 5 match unbeaten second team, so competition was stiff.

Intimidating stares and awkward competitive handshakes exchanged, the rowdy library erupted with silence as the clocks began. The first clock was stopped 12 moves later, a first loss for QMGS second team, soon followed by another. 2 – 0 down wasn’t the start we were hoping for, but with the 7 o clock showing of EastEnders in the mind of Kyrone Grossett, a quick win boosted team morale for the first team, leaving us 1 – 0 up after the 30 minute mark.

The second team had nearly finished all their matches by the half way mark, finishing with a win from Lorcan McCullagh and a draw for John of 6.1. Sam Dewsbery was the only one left to finish from the second team, against his year 8 Board 1 opponent.

Ravi Patel lived up to expectations to win his second match of the season, soon followed by a

loss for Aslan Awan. Luckily for Aslan, his loss was overshadowed by Sam Dewsbery’s, whose year 8 opponent ripped him to shreds, forcing him to resign for one of the worst losses seen of late, leaving the second team with a final loss of 1.5 – 4.5. It was 2 – 1 Queen Mary’s firsts and things were looking promising! But the top 3 boards, were still left to finish as the clocks struck one hour. 

Daniel Law, the most ruthless player of the team, was next to finish, but his opponent resigned before allowing for a fourth queen promotion, leaving him distraught and outraged. Mr Smethurst was left to calm him down with a cookie and some sandwiches, but the win ensured a definite draw!

Nearly at the one and a half hour mark, Aamanh Sehdev was next to fall to his board 2 opponent breaking his 8 match win streak, ultimately reducing him to tears on the Library floor, but Fahim Nasiri was ‘player of the match’ as he overcame the highly graded first board player in an intense final minute speed chess battle, to give Queen Mary’s first team yet another overall win for the season!