Winners — Reading School (U19); Kings College School (U11); Nonsuch School (U19 Girls); Howells School Cardiff (U11 Girls)

The National U19 Championship sponsored by Winchester College

The draw for the National stage appeared on 27th February, and the Finals were played on 3rd-4th July.

For the first time in 26 years, in a competition dominated by independent schools, we have an English state school as National Champion. Reading School wrested the title from Manchester Grammar School, holders for the last three years. Wilson’s School won the Plate, completing a state-school double.

The National Girls’ U19 Championship sponsored by St Catherine’s Bramley

This year St Catherine’s School in Bramley sponsored the English Chess Federation Girls’ Championships.

Nonsuch School win the ECF National Schools Girls’ Under 19 Tournament!

Over the weekend of 12th – 13th April, 10 schools with 12 teams battled it out to win the official ECF titles of ‘Under 11 Girls’ and ‘Under 19 Girls’ National Schools Chess Champions. St Catherine’s was able to accommodate many of the competitors and their families over the weekend. With the school basking in glorious spring sunshine, it couldn’t have been held in a more beautiful location.

Results
1st Nonsuch School 12 CHAMPIONS
2nd The Abbey School Reading 11.5
3rd Burnt Mill Academy, Harlow 9

4th St Edward’s Leek ( Staffs) 9 (Burnt Mill come third on tie-break); 5th RGS Newcastle 7.5; 6th King’s Chester 6.5

Quotes —

‘A great weekend, a great atmosphere. Both championships were remarkably hard-fought. Thanks must go out to the sponsors, St Catherine’s School, Bramley, who provided fantastic hospitality and to Crowthorne Chess Club, who generously supplied the equipment, making sure everyone had the chance to play with super wooden sets and digital clocks. Final thanks to ECF colleagues, all of whom are helping the drive to boost girls chess and to the parents and staff of the competitors, who gave up precious holiday time to come to the finals.’
— Andrew Martin, International Master

‘It was great to see such strong competition but over the course of a relaxed and enjoyable weekend. The girls had fun, made new friends and were able to play chess in an all female competition which they clearly appreciated. It was also time for teachers and parents who support their daughters to meet and make contacts.’
— Naomi Bartholomew, Head of St Catherine’s Preparatory School

‘It doesn’t really matter if you are playing against boys or girls – there are certainly some really strong players here. But, it is really nice to have free time and to be able to make friends with other girls. And it’s fun to stay over in such a lovely school.’
— U11 competitor

‘This has been a fun weekend, I hope we can come back to St Catherine’s again to play chess.’
— U19 competitor

Girls Northern Semi-Final 2014, Cheadle Hulme School 26/01/2014
Almost sixty girls from twelve different schools took part in the ECF Girls Schools Northern Final on Sunday 26th January 2014. Both the Under 19 and the Under 11 sections were fiercely contested and the final results (below) were very close, going to the last round.

Qualifiers — 1st RGS Newcastle; 2nd St Edwards School, Leek; 3rd Kings School, Chester

Girls Southern Semi-Final 2014, St Catherine’s School Bramley 19/01/2014
1st Nonsuch A 12.5
2nd Burnt Mill Academy 11.5
3rd = Abbey Reading B (winner on tie break)
These three teams qualify for the final

Also 3rd = Abbey Reading A; Guildford High 10.5; 6th = Nonsuch B; Yateley Manor B 10; 8th Surbiton High 9; 9th Yateley Manor A 8.5; 10th St Catherine’s A 8; 11th = St Catherine’s B; St Catherine’s C 5

Age-handicapping came into effect, hence the large number of points! Nonsuch A deserved to win with a very consistent display. Of course, it helps to have Akshaya on Board One, but boards two and three were also pretty powerful for a girls event. Overall, a good day. I would like to thank Graeme Buckley and Susan Lalic for assistance with controlling and the staff of St Catherine’s School, who are so generous with their time.

The National U11 Championship sponsored by Heathside Preparatory School

Congratulations to Kings College School on winning the ECF National Schools Tournament.

Thanks go to Heathside Preparatory School for their generous sponsorship and their support of Junior Chess over many years. Thanks also go to Uppingham School for hosting the event.

The National Girls’ U11 Championship sponsored by St Catherine’s Bramley

This year St Catherine’s School in Bramley sponsored the English Chess Federation Girls’ Championships.

Howells School win the ECF National Schools Girls’ Under 11 Tournament!

Over the weekend of 12th -13th April, 10 schools with 12 teams battled it out to win the official ECF titles of ‘Under 11 Girls’ and ‘Under 19 Girls’ National Schools Chess Champions. St Catherine’s was able to accommodate many of the competitors and their families over the weekend. With the school basking in glorious spring sunshine, it couldn’t have been held in a more beautiful location.

Results
1st Howell’s A Cardiff 13.5 CHAMPIONS
2nd Fernwood A Notts 10
3rd Fernwood B 10 (Fernwood A come second on tie-break)

4th Howell’s B 5.5; 5th Newcastle Prep 5; 6th Putney High 1

Three boards per match, an all-play-all

Girls Northern Semi-Final 2014, Cheadle Hulme School 26/01/2014
Almost sixty girls from twelve different schools took part in the ECF Girls Schools Northern Final on Sunday 26th January 2014. Both the Under 19 and the Under 11 sections were fiercely contested and the final results (below) were very close, going to the last round. A very special congratulation to Fernwood School. Both their A and B teams qualified for the National Finals later in the year.

Qualifiers — 1st Fernwood School B, Nottingham; 2nd Fernwood School A, Nottingham; 3rd Newcastle Prep. School