Jerez City Council Celebrates El Altillo International School’s Spanish Under-18 School Chess Championship Victo

The Mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, has congratulated the El Altillo team on winning the Spanish Under-18 Inter-School Chess Championship.

Jerez City Council has hosted an official reception for the El Altillo International School community to celebrate a remarkable sporting achievement: winning the Spanish Under-18 Inter-School Chess Championship.

The Mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, welcomed the school’s chess team alongside Nela García, Councillor for Education, and Tomás Sampalo, Councillor for Sports. The reception provided an opportunity to recognise the team’s achievements and personally congratulate the young players on their outstanding performance.

Spanish Champions: A Team Effort

The El Altillo International School team comprises students Nicholas Kowalski Rubiales, Alberto Escobar García, Leo Kowalski Rubiales, Jingxuan He and Chenjie Xu, who claimed the national title at the tournament held in Guardamar del Segura (Alicante) from 24 to 26 April.

The competition brought together more than 400 players representing 84 schools from across Spain, making the team’s victory a significant achievement and a testament to their hard work, perseverance and ability to perform at the highest level.

The students attended the reception accompanied by Daniel Escobar Domínguez, Chess Teacher at El Altillo International School and FIDE-rated chess master; José Luis García Deza, Deputy Head of School; and Aína González de la Peña, Marketing Director at El Altillo International School, as well as family members and other representatives of the school community.

Chess: A Powerful Tool for Learning

During the reception, the Mayor highlighted not only the students’ sporting success but also the educational value of chess and its role in developing essential skills such as concentration, logical reasoning, decision-making and resilience.

This perspective reflects the importance of chess within the educational experience at El Altillo International School. More than just a game, chess challenges students to think strategically, persevere in the face of difficulties and make informed decisions, equipping them with skills that extend far beyond the chessboard.

The Spanish Championship also marks the culmination of an exceptional competitive season for the team, which has secured three consecutive titles: Jerez de la Frontera Under-18 Inter-School Chess Champions, Provincial Under-18 Inter-School Chess Champions, and Spanish Under-18 Inter-School Chess Champions.

Next Stop: The FIDE World Youth Chess Championship in Roquetas de Mar

The journey continues. From 13 to 21 October 2026, students from El Altillo International School will compete in the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship, featuring age categories from Under-7 to Under-17, in Roquetas de Mar (Almería).

This international event will offer another valuable opportunity for our students to learn, grow and proudly represent El Altillo International School and the city of Jerez on the world stage.

At El Altillo, we are immensely proud of our students and their teacher, Daniel Escobar, for their dedication, commitment and determination to excel, and for representing our school with such distinction.

Congratulations to our champions, and best of luck as you take on your next international challenge!