16^th Aldro Inter Schools Chess Tournament, February 2008

25 teams of six players took part in this team tournament. The U12 section was run as an individual Swiss tournament and very quickly Twickenham Prep showed they had a strong team. They left Aldro (3rd) and Magdalen College (2nd) in their wake.

The Under 10 Major section was an all play all with four strong teams. St Dunstans coached by Graeme Buckley and Magdalen College both won their matches in round 1, but Aldro did well in round 2 and 3 to get close to the eventual winners St Dunstans. The victorious team consisted of Rhian Wade, Patrick Middleton, Cameron Reed, Jonathan Eales, Charlie Wood and Thomas Armstrong. Aldro A were 2nd and Magdalen A 3rd.

In a very close Under 10 Minor section Thames Ditton were the winners after a superb 6-0 win in round 3.Reigate St Mary’s and Auriol were the unfortunate teams to be leapfrogged but both came a very creditable 2nd=.

The Under 8 Major section was won by Homefield A. In 2nd place were Reigate St Mary’s and 3rd= were Aldro A and Twickenham A.

The Under 8 Minor section was won by Aldro B with Twickenham B 2nd and St James 3rd.

All the teams played in a sporting manner and were a credit to their schools and as an organiser it was good to see a different winning school in each of the five sections.

D J Archer