Maidenhead Chess Club's Matthew Wadsworth to become a Grandmaster

From playing on local boards to global glory, Maidenhead Chess Club’s Matthew Wadsworth is set to receive the highest honour that can be bestowed on a player in the game - the title of Grandmaster.

In his most recent tournament in Bad Wörishofen, Germany, Matthew scored the final few rating points he needed to cross the elite 2500 threshold, completing a journey that began at a family coffee table nearly two decades ago.

The Grandmaster title is the highest honour awarded by FIDE, the international chess federation. Fewer than 2,000 players worldwide currently hold the title. To earn it, a player must not only perform at Grandmaster level across several tournaments (achieving what’s known as GM norms), but also attain a FIDE rating of 2500 or more. Matthew had already earned his three norms, and finally clinched the rating barrier with a string of strong performances on the international circuit, including a shared first-place finish at the Wightlink Isle of Wight International earlier this year.

Now 24, Matthew’s journey began at age four or, as he puts it, closer to five, when his father introduced him to the game. His father was a decent player, and though it took young Matthew a few years to notch his first win, the foundation had been laid. Not long after, he became a regular at Nigel Dennis’ Maidenhead Junior Chess Club, which remains an institution in the town to this day. Nigel, who continues to coach juniors every Saturday and organise tournaments across Maidenhead and the region, played an instrumental role in nurturing Matthew’s early talent—something Matthew himself regularly acknowledges.

From an early age, Matthew was a regular face on the junior circuit, playing in the Berks and Bucks congresses, Maidenhead junior events, and other local competitions. These tournaments continue to thrive today and are always looking to welcome and develop new local talent. Matthew’s performances in these events helped him develop the confidence and skill to compete nationally, where he quickly rose through the ranks. By age seven, he was representing England at the 2007 World Youth Championship, beginning a series of international appearances that would include a 5th-place finish at the Under-12 World Championship in Slovenia in 2012 and the title of British Under-18 Champion in 2015. Unlike many prodigies, Matthew has always valued balance. After winning national titles and travelling the world for chess, he focused on his education during secondary school and went on to earn a First in Economics and a Master’s degree from Queens’ College, Cambridge. Though this may have slowed his chess progress slightly, Matthew believes the broader life experience helped him build a well-rounded foundation.

“Chess is endlessly fascinating,” Matthew says, “combining problem solving, lateral thinking and competitiveness. However, it is always good to keep perspective, and there is certainly more to life than ratings and titles.”

After graduating in 2022, Matthew returned to competitive chess full-time. His rating climbed steadily as he competed across Europe, collecting strong results and fulfilling the requirements for the GM title. A notable result from his career was a draw with the former Women's World Champion, Hou Yifan, at the 2019 Varsity Match between Cambridge and Oxford Universities. “I was really happy with how I handled this game from start to finish. It was an incredible experience to play against one of the most influential players of the modern age.”

With his recent success, Matthew becomes the third English player to earn the Grandmaster title in the last 12 months, following Ameet Ghasi and Shreyas Royal. That number matches the total of new English GMs over the previous 15 years, a sign of real momentum in British chess. “There’s an incredibly talented generation of young players in the UK right now,” says Matthew. “It’s great to be part of that.”

Despite his elite status, Matthew remains deeply connected to the local chess scene. He regularly returns to Maidenhead, gives simultaneous exhibitions, supports school events, and maintains strong ties with the Maidenhead Chess Club. In particular, the club is always delighted when he can appear for the first team, where his contributions have been vital in their bid to retain the Silver Rook trophy—the highest honour in the Berkshire Chess League.

For Matthew, chess has never just been about titles. It’s about curiosity, community, and continuous learning. His journey—from a small club in Maidenhead to the world stage—is a powerful reminder of what long-term commitment, steady growth, and support from a dedicated community can achieve. With the junior club still running strong under Nigel Dennis’ guidance, and regional congresses like Berks & Bucks offering accessible pathways to competitive play, the local chess ecosystem remains as vibrant as ever.

Matthew’s story is not only an inspiration for aspiring players in Maidenhead, but a testament to the strength of grassroots chess in the UK—and a compelling reminder that even in a digital age, it all still starts over a board.