Around 330 girls have signed up to compete in 110 teams as schools from around the country gather for the UK’s biggest girls-only chess event. Entries from girls are up 13% from 2024.

“A chess boom is happening among girls and it is wonderful to see,” said Andrew Martin, International Master and FIDE Senior Trainer.

“More girls and women are taking up the game than ever before. Part of the reason is the ECF and its partners are working hard to put on events like this which help increase participation. We are very aware we need to break the perception that chess is male-dominated and show the game is changing—that chess is for everyone.”

English chess has unearthed a rich crop of talented youngsters in recent years with schoolgirl Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow, leading the way. The nine-year-old made headlines as one of the world’s top prodigies last year and in September became the youngest player ever to represent England’s full chess team.

Organisers of the ECF National Schools Girls’ Team Championships are hoping to spot more talented youngsters.

Now in its 10th year, the ECF National Schools Girls’ Team Championships started life as an event to boost the fortunes of girls in the game organised by the English Chess Federation and St Catherine’s School in Bramley, Surrey.

A record entry to this month’s 2025 ECF National Schools Girls’ Team Championships in Surrey shows the perception of chess as a male-dominated activity is changing, one of Britain’s top players has said.

The partnership has recently been strengthened by the support of She Plays To Win, a non-profit organisation devoted entirely to the promotion of chess among girls and women.

This alliance has resulted in a series of national events which have increased in popularity year after year. Sunday, 26 January sees the semi-final of the 2025 championships take place in Bramley, Surrey. The final will be held at St Catherine’s on April 5 and 6.

“None of this could take place without the ongoing sponsorship of St Catherine’s School in Bramley and the vision of Headmistress Alice Phillips and Headmistress Naomi Bartholomew to help create and support the project over the last 10 years,” Martin said. “The event this year offers an unusual and stunning spectacle. Chess on a global scale. We can’t wait to see it happen.”

Alice Phillips, Headmistress of St Catherine’s, Bramley, added: “It is a delight once again to sponsor and host the ECF’s National Girls’ Team Chess Championships: a unique and collegiate event.

“From its inception in 2014, this tournament has exceeded all expectations each year and is the most dynamic national chess competition for young female players. We look forward to welcoming schools from all over the country and warmly invite new participant schools to help celebrate this exceptional assembly of like-minded girls.”

Leon Watson

Full results and details of each team may be found here for the U19 teams

Full results and details of each team may be found here for the U11 teams

Official web site for the championships