Battle of the Boards: House Chess 2026

The standard of chess in the school is astonishing, with the surge in popularity over the last few years really showing in the battles on the boards. As the dust settled, Bruce House emerged triumphant.

The tournament began in March, with Year 13 taking to the tables. The matches were played in an atmosphere of quiet focus, and as always at Victoria College, with great sportsmanship. Two early wins for Braithwaite seemed to take control of the round, but a spirited fightback from both Bruce and Dunlop led to the spoils being shared between the three Houses. Sartorius picked up the spare match, and Diarmid retreated to reflect on strategy and tactics. 

By the following week, a new Head of Diarmid was in place, and Mr Picot had an immediate impact as Diarmid claimed their first match of the tournament. However, Bruce were far too strong for the others and finished the round unbeaten. Sartorius kept the pressure on with three wins themselves.

With the sixth form out of the way, Y11 took the stage, and the match room started to fill up with supporters. It is unusual to hear chants at chess tournaments I think, but as it turns out, not impossible! Sartorius dominated in this round, but Bruce kept themselves in the chase with a strong second place finish.

Year 10 was again keenly fought, but this time Bruce pipped Braithwaite to the win - cleaning up with four wins. Sartorius, so strong until now, didn't manage a win but took every match to a nail-biting finish. Desperately unfortunate really. Diarmid upped their winning rate, taking two matches.

Years 8 and 9 saw Dunlop and Bruce trading blows and battling for supremacy. Dunlop took Year 9, and Bruce took Year 8. Bruce had done enough to claim the title for 2026, leaving the other Houses to scrap it out for the place positions. 

It was just as well for Bruce, as they didn't win a match in the Y7 round - winner's fatigue perhaps? Dunlop took the Y7 round with a clean sweep of four wins, and with it the special Y7 Chess trophy and sneaked past Sartorius into second place overall.

A wonderful competition, showcasing so much of what makes the College special. Warmest thanks go to Gus Weber (9Du), who acted as tournament referee and adjudicator, thus saving my blushes on a number of occasions!

Final standings:

1. Bruce
2. Dunlop
3. Sartorius
4. Diarmid
5. Braithwaite

Mr Griffin, Teacher of English & Assistant Head Lower School and Supercurriculum