A Celebration of Girls’ Chess
Sunday 26th April 2026 marked a fantastic milestone for girls’ chess on Merseyside, as over 50 players from primary and secondary schools came together at Holly Lodge Girls’ College in Liverpool for a truly inspiring tournament. Delivered in partnership between Chess in Schools and Communities and She Plays To Win, the event showcased not only the growing strength of girls’ chess, but also the power of opportunity, encouragement, and community.
From the very first moves to the final checkmates, the atmosphere in the room was electric. There was a real sense of excitement, mixed with focus and determination, as players tested their skills in a competitive but welcoming environment. The standard of play across both sections was impressive, with many closely fought games and some excellent examples of tactical awareness and resilience. For many of the girls, this was their first experience of tournament chess, and it proved to be a hugely positive one: “Is that all a chess tournament was? I thought it would be scary.” “Playing with a chess clock was intimidating at first, but I got used to it.”
Creating a space where girls can experience competitive chess without pressure or intimidation is key to building confidence and long-term engagement with the game. Congratulations go to Annabel, winner of the primary section, and Prishika, who took first place in the secondary section. Both demonstrated excellent composure and skill throughout the day. Just as importantly, every single participant contributed to the success of the event through their enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and willingness to challenge themselves.
We were fortunate to be visited by Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, the parliamentary constituency in which the event took place. Mr Byrne is a strong supporter of learning chess and visited the London Chess Classic in 2025 to watch one of his constituency schools compete. Mr Byrne said, “I was delighted to attend an inspiring morning of chess at Holly Lodge School. Great to see so many youngsters getting involved in the fantastic game. I am looking forward to seeing the initiative grow.”
The event was further enhanced by the presence of Maria Eagle MP, who took time to speak with the players and offer words of encouragement. Her support, along with that of other community leaders, reinforces the importance of initiatives like this in creating opportunities for young people. Maria said, “It was great to see 60 girls of all ages give up their Sunday to compete in a chess tournament – many of them for the first time. It certainly brought back memories to me of my early days as a player and I also found myself wincing along with every mistake, seeing lots of opportunities to win taken and others lost. The self-confidence, resilience, ability to concentrate and strategise that chess imparts however are all valuable “wins” for every player no matter what their score at the end of the day. I hope many of the girls who took part will continue to play into the future and benefit from what chess brings to those who play.”
Our huge thanks to the dedicated team of organisers and volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly, to the wonderful hosts at Holly Lodge, and to the ECF Grassroots fund for financial support. Thank you too to the parents, whose encouragement allows these young players to take part, and of course to the girls themselves, whose passion, courage, and enthusiasm are driving the future of chess forward.
