Junior Chess Diary - 2013/14 Season

Cornwall juniors’ successes in national final

Eighteen youngsters from Cornwall, the largest number for over 10 years, made the long journey to Reading on 12/13 June to play in the national final of the UK Chess Challenge.

Harvey Richings (Marazion) and Adam Hussain (Truro Prep)

Two boys, Adam Hussain (Truro Prep) and Harvey Richings (Marazion) both scored 4 out of 6 in their sections and qualified for the national Plate competition later in the summer. Although only 10, Harvey has already played against adults in matches with some success. Adam (under 8 section) is new to competitive chess and his result is extremely promising.

Most of the other Cornish players were up against national standard opposition for the first time and found the games very tough; the practice will have strengthened their play. Cornish results were better than in the recent past.

Here is the full list of the scores.
Under 7  2½ Spencer Richings (Marazion)
Under 8  4 Adam Hussain (Truro Prep). 2 Celeste Woodall (Truro High), Thomas Redondo-Barter (Nancledra), Andrew Roberts (Truro Prep)
Under 9  2½ Ned Lester-Smith (Kea), 1 Jack Keen (Marlbrough, Falmouth)
Under 104 Harvey Richings (Marazion), 2½ Josh Patterson (Marazion) 2 Sneha Shaju (St Mary's CE, Truro), Corban Heath (Marazion), James Ackerley (Trewirgie)
Under 111 Emily Tuck (St. Uny CE, Carbis Bay), Thomas Oates (Trewirgie)
Under 143 Richard Stephens (Penryn), 2 Matthew Jilbert (Mounts Bay)
Under 152 Matthew Trathen (Camborne Academy))
Under 172 Brandon Nichols (Camborne Academy)

Robin Kneebone

The list of winners is below. Each age group has a Supremo (boy) and a Suprema (girl).
Under 7 Spencer Richings (Marazion), Katie Strevens (Trythall)
Under 8 Adam Hussain (Truro Prep), Celeste Woodall (Truro High)
Under 9 Ned Lester-Smith (Kea), Lily Strevens (Trythall)
Under 10 Harvey Richings (Marazion), Sneha Shaju (St Mary's CE, Truro)
Under 11 Ellis Cooper (St. Uny CE, Carbis Bay), Emily Tuck (St. Uny CE, Carbis Bay)
Under 12 Joel Needham (Helston Community College), Alexandria Green (Camborne Academy)
Under 13 Aaron Keast (Penair), Leah Mitchell (Camborne Academy)
Under 14 Richard Stephens (Penryn)
Under 15 Matthew Trathen (Camborne Academy))
Under 16 William Dash (Richard Lander, Truro)
Under 17 Brandon Nichols (Camborne Academy), Jaide Slater (Camborne Academy)

The following scored 4 or more points and also qualified for the national final, to be held in Reading in July:.
Sam Coe (Redruth), Matthew Jilbert (Mounts Bay), Kai Chapple (Trythall), Joseph Crouse (Perran-ar-Worthal), Thomas Oates (Trewirgie), Finnian Slater (Trythall), James Ackerley (Trewirgie), Corban Heath (Marazion), Josh Patterson (Marazion), Ollie Cameron (Truro Prep), Emma Day (Truro High), Thomas Redondo-Barter (Nancledra), Jack Keen (Marlbrough, Falmouth), Andrew Roberts (Truro Prep)

There were 76 entries in total.

Full scores of all sections here.

Robin Kneebone

Cornwall Junior Championships (Penair School, Truro - 23/03/2014)

There were 57 entries in total (U9: 22, U11: 24, U13-15: 9, U18: 2)

The Under 18 Championship, revived after a break of 11 years took the form of a 4 game match between Chris Piper (Truro College) and Jack Harvey (Truro School). Congratulations to Chris Piper who, with a score of 3-1, is the new Cornwall Under 18 Champion, following in the illustrious footsteps of, among others, Michael Adams and Andrew Greet. Game 2 can be replayed here.

The winners of the Cornwall age-group championships were as follows:
Under 15 : Sam Coe (Redruth School).
Under 13: Jack Andrew (Truro School) and Joel Needham (Helston Community College).
Under 11: Kai Chappell (Trythall), Ellis Cooper (St. Uny) and Corban Heath (Marazion).
Under 9: Celeste Woodall (Truro High).

Trythall won the schools team competition with 17½ points, ahead of Marazion and St. Uny with 15½

Full scores of U9 / U11 / U13-15 here.

Simultaneous display - Saturday 8th February

Following his unbeaten performance in finishing second in the Emigrant Cup on the previous weekend, Theo Slade scored heavily when faced by multiple opponents in Truro's Lander Gallery. He played 24 games, winning 21 and drawing none. Theo willingly took on strong players, juniors, and beginners alike, and displayed a courteous attitude to all even when hammering some! The event was publicised in the West Briton (who sent a photographer), Radio Cornwall, and by posters.

We are grateful to the Slade family for making the effort to journey from Bude to Truro, but disappointed that few juniors took up the challenge. Those who did come enjoyed the event, and it made the case for other public-space chess events. Theo's stamina in lasting so well for 4 hours against a range of opponents was impressive and we hope to invite him again.

West Briton report and photos here

Jack Harvey v Theo Slade

Cornwall Junior Championships (Penair School, Truro - 23/11/13)

The winners of the Cornwall age-group championships were as follows:
Under 16: William Dash (Richard Lander, Truro)
Under 14: Samuel Coe (Redruth School)
Under 12: Jack Andrew (Truro School). Best U11: Alex Barrett (St Hilary)
Under 10: Harvey Richings (Marazion). Best U9: Joseph Gregory (Truro Prep)
Under 8: Celeste Woodall (Truro High). Best U7: Katie Strevens (Trythall)
Full scores of U8 / U10 / U12 here.

Marazion won the schools team competition.

There were 49 entries in total (U8: 13, U10: 17, U12-16: 19)

Kerrier Cup and Under 100 Rapidplay (28/9/13)

Junior players were to the fore in Cornwall's premier speed-chess competitions held in the Kernow club, Truro on Saturday September 28th.

The top section was won by Lloyd Retallick (Newquay), just ahead of junior international Theo Slade (Bude) and British Championship qualifier Jeremy Menadue (Truro). The Reserves group was won by Jan Rodrigo of St. Ives, closely followed by Terry Dengler (Truro). The Under-18 prize was won by Chris Piper (Truro College) just ahead of William Dash (Richard Lander); primary school player, nine-year-old Harvey Richings of Marazion School reached a commendable score.

Top section scores: Retallick 4½, Slade, Menadue 4, George 3½.
Reserves section scores: Rodrigo 4½, Dengler 4, K Richings 3½.

Full results here.

Foreground: Kenton Richings playing black against Paul Forde; in the rear international Theo Slade plays tournament winner Lloyd Retallick.

Junior Chess - My First Tournament (21/9/13)

On Saturday, 21st September, two competitions were held at Penair School: My First Chess Tournament, and a Practice Event for more experienced players. Harvey Richings (age 9) of Marazion School won the experienced-player event, ahead of William Dash (Richard Lander and Melanie Jehu (Truro School). Oliver Curtis, Callum Smith (both Roseland) Jack Keen (Marlborough) and Stewart Godden of St. Kew scored well in the newcomers' section.