Students from across The Two Counties Trust put their strategic thinking to the test as they competed in the first TTCT Varsity Chess event on Thursday 27th February 2025. Hosted at Frederick Gent School, the tournament brought together 52 students from our family of schools, each representing their year group in a fast-paced competition.
The event featured a form of chess known as blitz chess, where players must make 40 moves within a five-minute time limit. With over 200 games played in just two hours, the atmosphere was intense as students battled for top honours in their respective categories – Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 as well as separate competitions for boys and girls.
While individual students from multiple schools claimed first, second and third places, it was Friesland School that dominated the individual categories, securing three of the six gold medals available. However, the overall team victory went to Swanwick Hall School, which edged out Friesland by just two points to claim the top spot.
Students and staff alike praised the event, with many already looking forward to next year’s tournament. The competition not only tested players’ skill and concentration but was also a great opportunity to bring together students from across the Trust
A Manor student reflected on the experience, saying, “I loved playing against other students from different schools in our Trust.” A Friesland student added, “I liked connecting with the other students,” while a Frederick Gent competitor summed up the excitement, saying, “I can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
