If you’re good enough, you’re old enough – A Chess journey
Manchester United football manager Sir Matt Busby is famously credited with coining the phrase ‘If you’re good enough your old enough', which is still displayed in the Old Trafford dressing room.
Newly qualified ECF arbiter Alexander Horwood of Harrow and Hatch End Chess Clubs in London has now officiated at his first English chess tournament and brings us his story as proof of Sir Matt’s adage.
My Chess and Arbiting Journey
I first discovered chess when I was six years old, after my older brother introduced me to the game. To my surprise, I became completely fascinated by its depth and strategy. Every match felt like a new puzzle waiting to be solved. I soon joined Harrow Chess Club and later Hatch End Chess Club, where I began to compete regularly and make friends who shared the same excitement for the game.
Chess quickly became a huge part of my life. I am now a proud member of the EPSCA England National Junior Squad, and I’ve had the privilege to go abroad for tournaments held in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, with another one coming up soon in Amsterdam. Each event has taught me something new, not only about chess but also about focus, discipline, and teamwork.
It might surprise some people to hear that there is a teamwork element in chess. Even though the games themselves are individual, when you play for your club or your country, every player’s result contributes to the team score. You learn to encourage each other, analyse positions together, and share in both the wins and the losses. It’s a great feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself.
My interest in becoming an arbiter began when I noticed how calm and confident arbiters were during tournaments. They never seemed flustered, even when games became tense. I was really impressed by their composure and thought that if I could learn to be like that, it might help me elevate my own game to another level. When I started studying the laws of chess, I was amazed by how many more rules there were than I had ever realised! The more I learned, the more I discovered how little I had actually known — and that only made me want to learn even more.
With encouragement and guidance from some wonderful mentors, I studied hard and eventually passed the exam to become an arbiter. I’m proud to be one of the youngest arbiters in England. I was thrilled—and a little nervous—when Robin and Rock Yu from Alpha Chess gave me my very first opportunity to serve as an arbiter at one of their tournaments. I’m truly grateful to them for trusting me at such a young age.
That first tournament was exciting, but it also had its challenges. During one of the rounds, a player made two illegal moves, and I had to declare the game a loss. It was a tough moment because the players were older than me, and I felt quite nervous about making that decision. But I knew it was the right call, and afterwards, I realised how important it is for arbiters to stay fair and consistent, no matter who is playing.
Not long after that, I was very fortunate to receive another opportunity from Adam Raoof, who invited me to help arbitrate at his Golders Green tournament. It was an incredible experience, and I learned a great deal from observing how experienced arbiters manage busy events with confidence and calm.
One of the things I love most about being an arbiter is the variety. One moment I might be helping a young junior understand an illegal move, and the next I could be ensuring fair play in a game between titled players. Each experience helps me grow—not just as an arbiter, but as a chess player too.
Although I’m only twelve, I’m determined to keep improving and to contribute to the chess community in every way I can. The minimum age to apply for a national arbiter licence is sixteen, and I’m already looking forward to reaching that milestone. Until then, I’ll keep learning, practising, and doing my best to uphold the standards of fair play that make chess such a wonderful game.
