| POSTPONEMENT OF THE TEAM CHESS CHALLENGE It is with regret that I announce the postponement of the above event. The safety and health of all concerned must be our top priority. As yet, it is impossible to name a replacement date. When the situation clarifies, I will be back in touch. Here’s hoping that we all get through this difficult period — Neill Cooper |
Team Chess Challenge is a competition open to any British school with pupils in any of years 7 to 13 (English year groups). Each team taking part consists of four pupils who attend the same school and are in year 6 or above. Team Chess Challenge has been developed as a chess tournament which ALL secondary schools might like to enter.
The structure of Team Chess Challenge is that regional finals will be held on afternoons during the Autumn term of 2019 or early Spring 2020. The winning school at each Regional Final will qualify for the one day National Final at Imperial College, London on Monday 23rd March 2020. The host school will decide the details of the Regional Final. Typically at each Regional Final, between four and sixteen teams will participate. The host school can decide how many teams schools can enter. They should ensure an even number of teams take part, by entering an extra team if necessary. Schools can enter more than one Regional Final but players in a winning team cannot play in a subsequent Regional Final that year. Schools can only send one team to the National Finals.
The regional final is organised as an afternoon tournament lasting between 2 and 3 hours. Each event shall have four rounds (unless only 4 teams are playing) each lasting 25 minutes. Swiss pairings will be used so that in the later rounds, the leading teams play against each other, and similarly the weaker teams play each other. Every game counts, so the maximum score is 16 points. The winning team is the one that scores the most points (out of 16). The host school can decide the starting time of their final, which may be during afternoon school or after school has finished. The principal aim of the regional final is that large numbers of school teams enjoy playing chess. The production of a winner to play at the National Final is an important subsidiary to this main aim.
There is no entry fee for the tournament, but the host school may make a small charge for the provision of the refreshments, and possibly trophies, at the Regional Finals. Games are not graded, and there is no requirement for your team players to be members of any chess organisation.
To enter just contact the relevant organiser as listed below. If you cannot see an event you could easily enter then contact the national organiser, Neill Cooper Email: manager.secondary@englishchess.org.uk
Regional Finals
North London Region
Mill Hill County High School Contact: Sarah Hilton-Dennis Email: hiltondenniss@mhchs.org.uk
Thursday 7th November 4.00-6:30pm
UCS A 13.5; UCSB and Harrow tied on 12.5; MHCHS A 10.5; Bishop Douglas 8; Merchant Taylors 7.5; St Johns A 6; St Johns B 6; MHCHS B 3.5 | Congratulations to University College School on qualifying for the National Finals
Northumberland Region
RGS Newcastle School Contact: David Eggleston Email: dje567@hotmail.co.uk
Monday 25th November at 3.00pm
RGS Newcastle A 18/20; St Mary’s A 17; St Mary’s B 10; St Mary’s C 7.5; Dame Allan’s 6.5; RGS B 1 | Congratulations to RGS Newcastle, the reigning champions, on qualifying for the National Finals
Individual results – https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/58036/efixtures
East Midlands Region
Nottingham High School Contact: Edward Jones Email: ed47jones@gmail.com
Tuesday 26th November 2019
Nottingham High School A 11/12 points; Bourne A 7; Nottingham High School B 6; Bourne B 0 | Congratulations to Nottingham High School on qualifying for the National Finals
Teeside Region
Yarm School Contact: Michael Pointon Email: mip@yarmschool.org
Tuesday 3rd December 2019 4.15-6.00pm
1st Yarm A, 2nd Yarm B | Congratulations to Yarm School on qualifying for the National Finals
Individual results – https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/58237/rounds
West London Region
St Paul’s School Contact: Amrita Shravat Email: shravata@stpaulsschool.org.uk
Thursday 5th December 2019 2.00-4.30pm
St. Paul’s A 11.5/12; Westminster A 8.5; St. Paul’s B 7; Westminster B 4; St. Paul’s Girls 3; St. Paul’s C 2 | Congratulations to St Paul’s School on qualifying for the National Finals
Individual results – https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/58426/efixtures
South London Region
Wilson’s School Contact Neill Cooper Email: nsc@wilsonsschool.sutton.sch.uk
Thursday 12th December 2019 4.00-6.45pm
Wilson’s A and Wilson’s B 11.5/16; Wilson’s Sixth Form 9.5; Wilson’s year 11 and Wilson’s 8C+ 9, Wilson’s 8G 8; Wilson’s 8H+ 6.5; Wilson’s Year 10 6; Wilson’s 7D+ and Wilson’s 7C+ 4.5 | Congratulations to Wilson’s School on qualifying for the National Finals
Individual results – https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/58596/efixtures
Essex Region
Greensward Academy Contact: Will Worgan Email: wworgan@greenswardacademy.org
Wednesday 15th January 2020 4:00-6:00pm
St. Thomas More A 11.5/16; Westcliff High for Boys 11; Southend High for Boys 9.5; Greensward Academy A 9; St. Thomas More B 3.5; Greensward Academy B 3.5 | Congratulations to St. Thomas More on qualifying for the National Finals
Central London Region
Westminster School Contact: Ezra Lutton Email: ezra.lutton@westminster.org.uk
Saturday 18th January 2:00-4:30pm
Westminster A 10/12; QE Barnet 6.5; Westminster B 5.5; Westminster C 2 | Congratulations to Westminster School on qualifying for the National Finals
Individual results – https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/59062/efixtures
Devon Regions
Torquay Boys Grammar School Contact: Tim Onions Email: tim.onions@yahoo.co.uk
Wednesday 22nd January at 2.00pm
1st Torquay BGS A 13.5/16; TBGS B 11; Braunton 10; TBGS C 9; Stover A 8.5; Teignmouth 8; Paignton 7.5; 8th Fusion (mix of reserves) 6.5; Stover B 6 | Congratulations to Torquay Boys Grammar School on qualifying for the National Finals
Kent Region
The Skinner’s School Contact: Jacqui Charvat Email: jacqui.charvat@skinners-school.org.uk
Friday 24th January starting at 1:30pm
| Final Standings | Points | |
| 1 | Eltham College 1 | 16/16 |
| 2 | Skinners 2 | 10 |
| 3= | Skinners 3 | 9.5 |
| 3= | Skinners 1 | 9.5 |
| 3= | Bennett | 9.5 |
| 6 | Eltham College 2 | 8 |
| 7 | Maidstone Grammar 1 | 7.5 |
| 8 | Maidstone Grammar 2 | 6 |
| 9 | Hugh Christie 1 | 4 |
| 10 | Hugh Christie 2 | 0 |
Congratulations to Eltham College on qualifying for the National Finals
Individual results – https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/59073/efixtures
West of England Region
Bristol Grammar School Contact: Graham Iwi Email: giwi@bgs.bristol.sch.uk
Monday 10th February 2020 in Great Hall 4.00-6.30pm
A fantastic 18 teams entered from nine schools
| Team | Total Game Points | Total Match Points |
| Chepstow A | 15 | 8 |
| Star Reserves | 11.5 | 7 |
| Churchill A | 11 | 5 |
| Bristol Grammar School B | 10 | 6 |
| Clifton College A | 10 | 5 |
| Denmark Road A | 9.5 | 4 |
| Bristol Grammar School C | 9 | 5 |
| King’s Bruton B | 8 | 5 |
| Bristol Grammar School A | 8 | 4 |
| Stroud A | 8 | 4 |
| Chepstow B | 7.5 | 3 |
| King’s Bruton A | 7 | 3 |
| King’s Bruton C | 6.5 | 3 |
| Malvern College | 6 | 4 |
| Stroud B | 6 | 3 |
| Gordano A | 6 | 2 |
| Gordano B | 4 | 1 |
| Denmark Road B | 1 | 0 |
Congratulations to Chepstow School on qualifying for the National Finals [pictures below]
North West Region
Bolton School Contact: Paul Costello Email: pcostello@boltonschool.org
Thursday 13rd February 2020
Bolton School beat Kings’ Macclesfield 5 – 3 over 2 rounds | Congratulations to Bolton School on qualifying for the National Finals
Scotland
Run by Lothian Junior Chess Web: http://www.ljc.org.uk/
1st St Thomas of Aquins High School; 2nd Chess Life; 3rd = Stewart’s Melville; 3rd = Broughton High School
Congratulations to St Thomas of Aquins High School on qualifying for the National Finals