Fairfield Prep School is celebrating the remarkable achievement of Year 4 pupil, Harrison Condron, who has won the English Junior Coaches and Organisers Association (EJCOA) Under 10s National Youth Chess Championships 2026, which was held at Nottingham High School in July.
Harrison, who is eight years old, entered the National Youth Finals with an established, advanced club-level player rating of 1680 after previously finishing as the first-place boy at the regional stage of the Championships.
Competing against a strong field of junior players in the final, Harrison won the first four rounds of the tournament and drew in the fifth round, cementing his overall win.
Commenting on Harrison’s success, Head of Fairfield Prep School, Mr Andrew Earnshaw, said: “To see Harrison reach the final stage of the National Youth Chess Championships was a fantastic achievement in itself, but for him to go on and be crowned Under-10 National Champion is truly remarkable. This outstanding success is testament to his dedication, resilience and the countless hours of practice he has devoted to developing his game.
“Harrison’s achievement reflects not only his exceptional logical thinking and strategic ability, but also his commitment to continual improvement. Everyone at Fairfield Prep is immensely proud of Harrison. He is a wonderful ambassador for our school, and we hope his success inspires many other young people to pursue their own passions with the same determination and enthusiasm.”
Harrison celebrated similar success last year as part of the Fairfield team who won first place at the prestigious Primary Team Chess Challenge and made history by becoming the first Fairfield chess team to bring home the national trophy.
Fairfield strongly believes that playing chess at primary school can significantly benefit children by developing crucial cognitive and social skills. These include enhanced problem-solving, critical thinking and strategic planning abilities, as well as improved focus, memory and creativity. Chess also fosters emotional resilience, patience and sportsmanship – valuable qualities that extend far beyond the chessboard!
Categories: Fairfield Prep School School News
