5th Yorkshire Girls Open Championships

The 5th Yorkshire Girls Open Championships produced the highest standards so far seen. This year’s entry of 33 was a little down on last year but as usual all the old rivals from Yorkshire and Lancashire lined up to chase the £100 first prize and the title of Yorkshire Girls Open Champion. Last Year’s winner Kiruthika Rajeswaran came to defend her title, but she knew it was going to be tough with Evie Hollingworth in good form, great friend and rival Amanda Hipshon fresh from her England Girls U18 joint title, Lancashire maestro Rachel Cass and the ever dangerous and also in hot form Jade Stirrup. There were also several dark horses snapping at their heels as well as the age group trophies to contest. For the first time this year a novice section was introduced for girls playing their first tournament and this proved very enjoyable for the little newcomers taking part.

There was some fantastic attacking play all round and the first of the heavy weight contests started in round 3 as Evie Hollingworth defeated Jade Stirrup. In round 4 Amanda scored her first ever victory over Rachel Cass and Evie defeated last year’s winner Kiruthika to set up a meeting with Amanda in round 5. Again, Amanda scored her first ever win over Evie to at least secure the trophy, and then went on to beat Jade in the final round to claim first place outright.

In the Novices little Hephzi Leatherbarrow put a marker down for the future with 5½/6. Runner-up in the championship was Evie with Kiruthika 3rd. The Under 18 trophy was awarded to Jade Stirrup, the Under 14 to Rachel Cass, the Under 12 to Isobel Cotogni, the Under 11 to Phoebe Price, the Under 10 to Lara Buckley, Under 9 to Lucy Towse and Under 8 to Hannah Harrison.

West Yorkshire County trophies were also awarded in three categories:

Under 18 Amanda Hipshon

Under 14 Amy Greenhough

Under 11 Eleanor Westwood

The best game prize was awarded to Natalie Cass and Yasmin Niksaz for their final round draw which had seen Yasmin attack with her usual ‘caution to the wind’ approach and Natalie hang on for grim death to almost grab the win at the end.

A very big well done to all girls for taking part in a great day of chess. Let’s hope we can try to attract even more new faces next year.