Playing for England - Talbot Heath's Junior Chess Queen

Congratulations to Talbot Heath pupil Larissa Cuthbert, who has recently been selected for the European Youth Rapidplay and Blitz Chess Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. The 11-year-old from Dorset, will be travelling to the championships at the end of November because she has been selected to play for England. This follows on from her selection in April 2019 for the World School's Chess championship in Turkey. She is currently a member of the Southbourne chess club and the members have generously provided her with some sponsorship for the Estonia trip. Larissa has played in a variety of tournaments and existing wins include the U11 section of the Godalming Junior Open Congress at the Aldro School in Shackleford, where Larissa won all 5 and was awarded the champions trophy for the section. She was one of only two players who achieved a 100% score across all age groups.

Larissa, who started playing at the age of 6 said, ‘Chess is not just about wining, there is so much more to it, mostly it's about learning.’