This year’s tournament at Aldro School proved to be a lively three days of chess and other activities for the 155 players. Seventeen schools from all over the country took part with about 50 players boarding.

It proved to be a massive success for long time entrants Twickenham Prep but it was chess that was also the winner here with all the children enjoying playing against each other in age group sections and ability groups. The trip to Chessington World of Adventure and the 5 a side football also proved very popular for the boarding schools.

All the accompanying staff joined in to help run the massive tournament and it was a great team effort with the organisation and supervision. Our Matron Tracey Thornton did a sterling job in the evenings and all the boarding staff were treated to a special meal on the last evening.

The winners of the age groups sections (4 rounds ) on the first day are as follows —

U13 winner – Rori Rodell (Witham Hall)
U12 winner – Fin Di Castaglione (Windlesham House)
U11 winners – Ali Bhatia (Windlesham) and Dominic Harvey (Battle Abbey)
U10 winner – James Dicker (Cranmore)
U9 winners – Nicky Magrin (Windlesham) and Riley Snook (Twickenham)
U8 winner – Scott Hume (Aldro)

Section Winners (6 round Swiss tournaments) Day 2 and 3

A – James Palk (Wycliffe) and Rori Rodell (Witham) 5/6
B – Richard Tomlinson (Witham)5.5/6
C – Herbee Turner (Aldwickbury)5.5/6
D – Thomas Bull (Cranmore)6/6
E – Sam Di Castaglione (Windlesham)

Championship Section Day 1, 2 and 3 (7 rounds)

1st IAPS National Champion – Ben Hammond (Twickenham) 6/7
2nd= Oli Howell (Hawthorns), Conrad Dickinson (Lockers Park)and Adam Gemmell (Aldwickbury) 5.5/7
Girls Champion – Felicity Pettit (Tormead)4.5/7

National Team Champions

U13 Hodgson Cup winners – Twickenham Prep
Runners Up – Windlesham, 3rd – Hawthorns

U11 David Bull Cup winners – Twickenham Prep
Runners up – Aldro, 3rd – Lockers Park

Girls team champions – Tormead

Congratulations to all the players who took part and made it such a memorable few days and my thanks go to all the teachers and parents from the different schools for their help running the various aspects of the tournament. I would also like to thanks Aldro School for providing an excellent venue, Mr Andrew Martin for running the Championship section and to Mr James Hanson for presenting the prizes.

— DJ Archer (IAPS Chess Co-ordinator)