3 Feb 2008 - UK Chess Challenge & Another Review
UK Chess Challenge
Teesside High School
2/2/2008
The initial stage of the UK Chess Challenge - the biggest chess tournament in the world - starts in schools all across the country this term.
The Chess Links Project managed to evade the threat of snow to host their tournament at the weekend.
We had players of all ages from Y1 to Y6 and a rare even split of boys and girls.
Mike Basman’s trademark scoring system of three points for a win, two for a draw and one for a loss guarantees a healthy progressive score no matter how well a player does. The plethora of prizes included badges (with an increasing number of ‘gold spots’ as players improve their scores), fluffy mascots, flags and trophies.
Our day was greatly enhanced by the presence of Cleveland Champion (and former British Senior Champion) David Smith, who was on hand throughout the event to pass on invaluable knowledge to the children.
Niall Garner was on great form and won all seven of his games - a magnificent performance! He reached the magic, perfect tally of 21 points and easily qualified for the ‘Megafinal’ stage of the UK CC (17 points is the necessary amount, but players can also qualify as the best in their particular age group).
Elsewhere, the battle for honours spanned the entire seven rounds, with key places in doubt until the last pawns were pushed, the ultimate checkmates were delivered and the final stalemates blundered into.
Full Scores
21: Niall Garner (Champion and top scorer from Teesside High)
19: Thomas Batchelor
16: Benjamin Amos
15: Josh White (Top scorer from Preston Primary)
15: Becky Donaldson (Best Girl)
14: Adya Trivedi, Joe Oliver, Katie Wake
12: Ryan Anscomb, Abigail Glancey, Zahraa Maiter
9: Amelia Flaherty
8: Ben Portas, Becky Portas
Katie, Ryan, Ben and Becky were making their tournament debuts. I am certain they will be back for more!
New Review
Chessbase Magazine 121 is reviewed here: http://marshtowers.blogspot.com/2008/02/chess-reviews-37.html