At just 18,
Jack Mizzi has already made his mark as the
2025 Malta Chess Champion — a title earned through years of discipline, passion, and strategic brilliance. We sat down with Jack to learn about his chess journey, his thoughts on the future of Maltese chess, and his advice for young players looking to follow in his footsteps.
From Schoolyard Games to National Champion
Jack’s journey began like many others — a simple curiosity sparked by games with friends.
“My first experience of chess was playing at school with my friends,” he recalls. “Then, in 2016, I started training with my first coach,
Ron Sammut. That’s where my real improvement began.”
From there, Jack’s progress was steady but determined. He emphasises that enjoyment is key to success:
“You can work hard and study, but if you don’t enjoy it, it’s for nothing. Even playing blitz online can help — as long as you love what you’re doing.”
Learning the Game the Right Way
When it comes to improving, Jack believes in a balanced approach between learning environments.
“For complete beginners, group sessions are ideal — you meet others, see where your level should be. Then, as you improve, individual lessons help your coach focus on your weaknesses. Mixing both, plus online resources, works best.”
In his own practice, Jack regularly solves puzzles, analyses games, and plays fast online matches to stay sharp. His favourite players and openings reflect his dynamic style —
Arjun Erigaisi for inspiration,
Catalan with White, and
Caro-Kann with Black.
The Rise of Maltese Chess
Jack is optimistic about the future of chess in Malta.
“A lot of young players are developing fast — names like
Matthew Portelli,
Keshav Reyansh are improving a lot. The level is very good right now.”
He also praises the growing number of clubs and communities organising events:
“They’re doing a great job encouraging new players to start. The balance is just right at the moment.”
Looking Beyond the Island
While local chess continues to grow, Jack believes the next big step for Maltese players is international exposure.
“The main challenge is financial — balancing travel, studies, and work makes it hard to compete abroad. But with support, we can do it.”
That’s where
FD Chess Academy steps in.
Our vision is to help Maltese players like Jack reach the next level, offering structured training, tournament opportunities, and international representation.
“If the level keeps improving and we get more opportunities to play abroad, Maltese chess can grow even faster,” Jack says.
“I look forward to competing together with the academy in Europe in 2026.”
Final Thoughts of Jack Mizzi
Jack’s story is one of focus, humility, and ambition — a reminder that every champion starts with curiosity and grows through consistency.
As we prepare for upcoming tournaments and events, FD Chess Academy is proud to support Jack and the next generation of Maltese chess talents, helping them make their next move toward international success.
To discover his story further, you can visit his
website or search him on
Wikipedia.
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