Monday, February 2 marked an important milestone for the students of the Masterclass Chess programme. For the first time, our young players competed in an official tournament: the Düsseldorf Municipal Primary Schools Championship, organised by Friedrich von Bodelschwingh Primary School in the auditorium of Görres-Gymnasium.
The event, covered by the local press, brought together around 130 children from primary schools across the city, including members of well-established chess clubs and players accustomed to national and even international competitions. The level of play was therefore particularly high.
Rising to the Challenge with Professionalism
Facing such experienced opponents, our ten Masterclass players demonstrated remarkable composure and concentration. For many of them, this was their very first official competition, played with a chess clock and time control (13 minutes per player plus a 2-second increment per move). A real challenge, requiring quick thinking, time management and the ability to stay focused under pressure.
Despite their limited tournament experience, our students impressed with their seriousness, strategic thinking and sustained focus. They approached each game with maturity, applying the methods and reflexes developed during their training sessions.
The results speak for themselves: out of 34 teams, our two teams secured 10th and 17th place. A truly outstanding achievement considering the high level of competition.
Rigorous Preparation, Inspiring Guidance
This success did not happen by chance. Created at the beginning of the school year, the Masterclass Chess programme is designed for students who have already completed the regular after-school chess club and wish to deepen their strategic understanding of the game.
Led by Aljoscha, an active league player with SV Dormagen and a graduate of the Kunstakademie, the Masterclass benefits from demanding and inspiring guidance. For him, chess lies at the crossroads of art and sport, combining imagination, technical mastery and strategic insight. Through his experience and his high yet supportive standards, he guides pupils toward a more structured and competitive approach to the game.
Two years ago, the organisation of an internal school chess tournament sparked great enthusiasm. The creation of the Masterclass builds on that momentum, offering motivated students the opportunity to take the next step and compete in local and regional tournaments.
A Strong Team Spirit
Although CM2 pupils (considered the first year of secondary school in the German system) were not eligible to compete officially, they attended to support their teammates and experience the atmosphere of a tournament. Their presence highlighted the strong cohesion and team spirit within the group.
More Than Just a Game
As the local press also emphasised, chess develops far more than tactical skills: it strengthens concentration, time management, perseverance and decision-making under pressure. Our pupils have already demonstrated that they embody these qualities with impressive professionalism.
We warmly congratulate them on their courage, commitment and results. This first official participation marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting competitive journey.
