Hurst’s chess teams have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and busy end to the term, taking part in three major events in early June: the Butler Cup, the Primary Cup, and the IAPS Online Team Finals. Across all competitions, pupils demonstrated impressive skill, determination, and team spirit against strong opposition from across Sussex and beyond.
The Butler Cup and Primary Cup form part of a prestigious Sussex-wide tournament involving more than 40 schools. Throughout the academic year, Hurst’s two senior teams (Years 7–9) and primary team competed in qualifying rounds to determine their division placement for the final stages.
Two senior teams travelled to Windlesham House for the Butler Cup finals, where the A team delivered an excellent performance, finishing 2nd in Division 3. Although they finished level on points with the division winners, they narrowly missed out on 1st place due to head-to-head tiebreaks. It was a fiercely competitive section, with the outcome decided in the final moments. The last game to conclude featured Harvey M, playing on board one. In a dramatic finish, Harvey turned a losing endgame into victory with a clever sacrifice, securing the match win and confirming 2nd place overall. Strong supporting performances came from Rafe T, Elliot C, and Isaac S, each contributing crucial wins across the matches.
Meanwhile, the B team produced a dominant display in Division 4, winning all three of their matches to claim 1st place. Willoughby J, Aidan F, and Conor G-B were all in outstanding form, each achieving a perfect score of 3/3. Milo N also played a key role, stepping in at the last minute due to illness within the squad and securing an important victory in round two that helped maintain the team’s unbeaten record.
The following week, Hurst’s Primary Cup team competed at Ardingly College. The team put in a commendable performance, winning two out of their three matches to finish 2nd in Division 5. Seb captained the side for the first time and led by example, winning two of his games. Artie was particularly impressive, achieving a flawless 3/3 score. Wilfy B and Jacobi C also made notable contributions, both securing excellent wins despite it being their first time representing the school in competition.
Hurst’s success this term also extended to national competition. Back in March, the school competed in the IAPS Under-13 Team Championship, finishing an impressive 3rd out of 45 schools and qualifying for the finals. These took place online, bringing together 10 of the strongest teams in the competition. Twelve Hurst pupils represented the school in a fast-paced tournament, and after an hour of intense play, Hurst secured an excellent 3rd place finish. Special mention goes to Willoughby J and Harvey M, who both finished joint 5th out of a field of 122 individual players.
Reflecting on the term’s achievements, the progress of chess at Hurst has been remarkable. Over the past three years, participation has grown significantly, evolving from a single team into a thriving programme with multiple squads competing at different levels. The results this term are a testament not only to the pupils’ talent, but also to their dedication and enthusiasm for the game.
