Move by Move: How Alesa Is Balancing Elite Chess, Music, and School at CGA

Studying an international curriculum through an online school, while based in Singapore, has allowed Alesa to pursue elite-level chess and music without sacrificing academic progress.

At Crimson Global Academy (CGA), she isn’t confined by a traditional school schedule. Instead, she’s learning in a flexible, structured environment that travels with her, whether she’s preparing for national chess competitions or performing violin at venues like Carnegie Hall.

What Does It Take to Balance School and Elite Commitments?

There’s a moment Alesa returns to every year. Just before a game begins, she notices a familiar gesture: a friend raising their hand across the room, wishing her luck. Nearby, her mum waits between rounds, sometimes with a quick snack. Later, there’s laughter over boba, shared meals, and photos taken to capture moments that pass too quickly.

For Alesa, chess has never been just competition. It’s routine, community, and memory; something that has grown with her since she was seven.

But behind those moments is a reality many families recognise: Balancing high-level commitments with school is rarely straightforward. Most students face trade-offs:

• Missed classes during competitions
• Rigid school schedules
• Limited time for deep practice

Alesa’s experience offers a different model.

“Move by Move”: The Mindset Behind High Performance

Alesa doesn’t think about winning in abstract terms. She focuses on the next move.

“I just kept going, move by move, trying to make it as difficult as possible for my opponent.”

It’s a mindset built on resilience in difficult positions, patience over quick wins, and consistent, incremental improvement

At the 2026 National Schools Individual competition, that approach translated into results:

• 2nd in the Zonal Championship (U14 Girls)
• 9th in the National Individual (U14 Girls)

“I felt really proud, and it kind of felt like redemption. It showed me that all the effort I put in actually paid off, especially after the tougher games, and I feel like my younger self looking upon the present would be really proud of me as well.”

But what mattered most wasn’t just the ranking, it was being able to share the moment.

“My mum supported my entire chess path… she understands exactly what it took.”

This is what high performance actually looks like: not just outcomes, but sustained effort supported by the right environment.

How Online School Makes This Balance Possible

“CGA has given me the flexibility to pursue two passions at an elite level: chess and violin while still keeping up with school. I've been able to travel across the world for competitions, and yet still continue learning along the way and continue learning both inside and outside the classroom.”

This flexibility isn’t unstructured; it’s designed. At CGA, Alesa can:

• Attend live classes from anywhere
• Travel internationally without falling behind
• Reorganise her schedule around training and performance

Alongside chess, Alesa is also an accomplished violinist, performing at Carnegie Hall while maintaining a full academic load. As a Grade 8 student at CGA, she studies six subjects: Commerce, English, Science, Social Science, Maths, and Spanish. She’s also involved in extracurriculars like Mock Trial Club and REP, further expanding her academic and personal development.

In a traditional system, this would likely force a compromise. This addresses one of the most common parent concerns directly: Online school doesn’t remove academic rigour; it removes unnecessary constraints.

Looking Ahead: Bigger Goals, Same Mindset

Alesa’s ambitions don’t stop here.

In chess, she’s aiming to continue competing at national and international levels, improve her ranking, and work towards earning the Candidate Master (CM) title. She also has her sights set on representing at events like the Olympiad and SEA Games.

At the same time, she plans to continue her journey in music, keeping violin as a core part of her life.

Looking further ahead, her academic aspirations are just as ambitious. She hopes to attend leading universities such as the University of Oxford or Harvard Law School, pursuing a law degree with a business focus.

A Story Still Unfolding

Alesa’s story is still unfolding. But it already challenges a common assumption that students must choose between academic success and pursuing their passions.

For student athletes wondering whether it’s possible to balance academics with elite-level pursuits, Alesa’s story offers a clear answer: With the right environment, it is. And sometimes, all it takes is the right next move.

Start your CGA journey today! Book a free consultation with a CGA Academic Advisor.