Year 9 Student Wins at Chess Open

Congratulations to Year 9 student Alyssa Lam for winning the Best Girl Prize at the Harrow Hong Kong 1st Scholastic Chess Open 2025 on 11 May! She won the most games in the under 18 mixed gender category.

Her love for chess began in Year 6 after watching the iconic Wizard’s Chess scene in Harry Potter. That moment sparked her curiosity—and she’s been hooked ever since, drawn to the strategy, focus, and thrill of staying one step ahead of her opponent.

She shared, “I started playing chess in Year 6 and have loved it since. As soon as the game starts, I’m completely logged in. Chess has taught me to plan ahead, stay disciplined, and practice daily. Chess is a sport of calculations —there are so many possibilities, and you can only guess. Before a tournament, I always make sure to get enough sleep—it helps me focus. Winning a round makes me happy and excited to keep developing my skills.”