Chess success for nine-year-old

Chess success for nine-year-old
Tuesday, October 06, 2009, 07:00
michael greenwell

MICHAEL Fletcher’s wizardry on the chequered board has already caught the eye of a chess grandmaster.

The nine-year-old impressed one of England’s best players after triumphing in his age section at the prestigious British Land UK Chess Challenge – the largest school chess tournament in the world.

The competition attracts 67,000 entrants from schools throughout the country.

Michael was congratulated by grandmaster Stephen Gordon after his performances in July and August and was showing off his trophy last week at Nottingham High Junior School.

“It was quite nice to win and I think it made my parents quite proud,” Michael said.

“I hope I can win a few more competitions now.

“I really like chess because it involves maths and so many different subjects at the same time.

“You also have to think ahead and its like warfare.”

Michael has been playing chess for just three years after his mum bought a set for their home in Wilford.

Since then, Michael has practised daily using a chess computer, and beat all-comers at an event in Oldham.

He then gained an automatic qualification to the final stage – the Terafinal in Warwick – which pitted the best in the country against each other.

Michael became one of the last 66 players left in the Terafinal and in round five, with an English Chess Federation (ECF) grade of 104, found himself facing Ankush Khandelwal from Nottingham High Senior School who had an ECF grade of 211.

Michael lost but once the scores for age groups were worked out, the title of the under-nine champion 2009 went jointly to him and fellow player Matthew Wadsworth from Berkshire.

“This is a remarkable achievement for Michael,” said Andrew Earnshaw, headmaster at Nottingham High Junior School. “Needless to say, being awarded the top under-nine prize, out of so many entrants is some going.

“Michael is a great ambassador for the school and I speak for everyone here at the school when I say we are very proud of him.”

Michael’s mum, Linda, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with what Michael has achieved.

“He’s always had great fun playing chess since we gave him a set for his sixth birthday.

“It wasn’t until he joined Nottingham High Junior School that it really took off for him.

“It’s a great testament to his school that he’s been able to go from strength to strength and long may it continue as he has hopes of becoming a grandmaster.”