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This summer, we watched our children experience something extraordinary. Not from the sidelines of a sports field or the back row of a school assembly, but from across the world, in the halls of a 100-year-old palace, among more than 30 teams from across Europe.
They travelled to Iași, Romania, to represent BIS Abu Dhabi at the 3rd International School Chess Festival 2025. When they returned home, they came back not just as players, but as global citizens: wiser, stronger, and deeply transformed by the experience.
As parents, we’ve seen our children dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to preparing for this tournament, solving puzzles, studying classic games, learning openings and endgames. But no workbook or app could have prepared them for what it truly meant to compete internationally. The challenges they faced helped them grow in ways that extended far beyond the chessboard.
Over four intense days, they played eight rounds of chess. They remained focused, patient, and collaborative throughout the games. Facing teams from countries where chess is part of the school curriculum, they held their ground with poise and resilience. Their final ranking, 13th out of 31 teams, is something to be proud of. However, for us, the real success was not the scoreboard. It was seeing our children rise under pressure, support one another, and play with integrity.
The tournament was held inside the Palace of Culture in Iași, a magnificent neo-Gothic building with soaring ceilings, marble staircases, and stained-glass windows. Walking through those halls, our children understood that chess isn’t just a game. It is part of a deeper tradition, one that teaches patience, discipline, and respect.
Iași itself, Romania’s cultural capital, welcomed our children with charm and warmth. They explored its historic streets, tasted local cuisine, and heard languages they had never encountered before. They shook hands before every match. They learnt how to lose gracefully, and how to win humbly.
This journey gave our children what every parent hopes for: confidence, independence, and perspective. They shared ideas with players from across Europe and the United States. They practised gratitude and fair play. They navigated unfamiliar environments with resilience. They learnt that effort matters more than ego, and that growth happens just outside your comfort zone.
It wasn’t just a chess tournament. It was a crash course in life skills, dressed up as strategy.
Daniel led from Board 1 with quiet confidence, providing stability and earning five strong points. His calm presence anchored the team throughout the tournament.
Ahaan, the youngest member of the group, showed remarkable composure on Board 2. Despite facing tough opposition, he held his nerve and scored an impressive four points.
"Every round pushed me to think faster and smarter. It helped me grow as a player."
Ahaan
Dhariya delivered an outstanding performance, winning seven out of eight matches. He played with sharpness and grace, earning the team’s highest score and setting a powerful example of focus and finesse.
Hannah brought a thoughtful balance of strategy and heart. She scored 3.5 points and often turned challenging positions into draws or wins, demonstrating resilience and creativity under pressure.
While each player contributed valuable points, it was their camaraderie, laughter, and shared sense of purpose that truly moved us as parents. Their teamwork and spirit were just as inspiring as their results.
To Mr. Will McLoughlin, our children’s chess coach, thank you for your unwavering belief in them. Your hours of preparation, quiet encouragement, and tactical wisdom shaped more than just moves on a board; they shaped young minds.
To the staff at BIS Abu Dhabi, thank you for recognising the value in experiences like this. Your support brought this idea to life.
To the Romanian Chess Federation, thank you for hosting with warmth and professionalism.
Checkmate to fear. Checkmate to limits. Checkmate to anything but excellence.
Signed with gratitude,
Proud Parents of BIS Abu Dhabi Chess Team