EBRD Hosts Schools Tournament

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has developed a keen interest in chess over recent years, hosting CSC’s Solidarity Match between UK and Ukraine in 2022, and running several events for children.

On Friday 5th June, the bank played host to a chess tournament for local primary schools. Eight Tower Hamlets schools took part, each sending in a team of six children to the EBRD’s headquarters in Canary Wharf. There the children received lessons from CSC tutors and took part in a simultaneous display against some expert players. They then listened to a presentation about the work of the bank and the careers opportunities it provides which generated plenty of questions from the children, about topics from green energy to AI.

After lunch, it was time for the competition to begin. Everyone took part in a 4-round Swiss tournament which featured some excellent chess, a real demonstration of the skills the players had developed back in school with their CSC tutors this year. Most importantly, the event was played in a fantastically spirit - competitive, but sporting and supportive. To finish the day, we presented medals to the highest scorers and some chess goodies to everyone.

The event was the culmination of this year’s Stepney Primary Schools Chess League. This year has been a huge success for Stepney Park Primary School, who finished top of the league for the very first time as well as picking up the trophy for the highest team score at the EBRD.

Congratulations to everyone who took part! Our huge thanks to the EBRD for supporting this lovely event and for giving the children such a great insight into the financial world, and especially to Diana and Simone for all their support in arranging the event and hosting us on the day.