Hurstpierpoint College teacher becomes fantasy game world champion

Oliver Pocknell beat all-comers to take the title in an X-Wing invitation-only competition in the United States where competitors used guile and deception to win the day.

He said: “X-Wing is made by Fantasy Flight games similar to Warhammer. It is played on three foot by three foot tables using miniatures from the Star Wars universe.

“It’s a one versus one strategy game similar to chess but with random elements of dice and some prediction bluffing, similar to poker, mixed in. There are around 50,000 people around the world who play with varying levels of skill.”

It’s described as a tactical ship-to-ship combat game in which players take control of powerful Rebel X-wings and nimble Imperial TIE fighters, facing them against each other in fast-paced space combat.

It features stunningly detailed and painted miniatures and recreates exciting Star Wars space combat throughout its several included scenarios.

Oliver explained the World Championships, held this year in Minnesota, are the culmination of a series of regional and national competitions held around the world. Finalists must win at these levels to qualify.

After winning through the early stages, he finally played against 700 competitors over three gruelling days of contests. Each round lasted for one hour, 15 minutes.

He went on: “Now that I am world champion I am taking the opportunity to show just how helpful X-Wing can be to improve people’s social analytical and mathematical skills.

“All the while you can have a great time playing in the Star Wars universe.

“This is especially poignant in my job as a science teacher. I run the gaming club at the school, providing students with these opportunities that they might not otherwise get.”

Oliver’s progress was live-streamed much to the delight of his students who were glued to their screens.

He lives in Brighton and teaches physics and chemistry while, like many of his colleagues, doing double duty coaching rugby at Hurstpierpoint College.

Oliver’s X-Wing World Championship trophy is now on display in his classroom.