ECF National Schools Girls’ Finals 2020 – CANCELLED I regret to tell you that we will have to cancel the finals for this year. St Catherine’s has made the very sensible decision not to host any major events during the Autumn Term. Only those from the immediate community of the school will be in attendance. We would love to welcome you, but we can’t compromise on safety. The status of the 2021 tournament will be under constant review. I expect to go ahead, but can’t guarantee anything. I’ll keep in touch as time passes. It’s an unfortunate situation. Thanks for all your support and understanding. — Andrew Martin

The National Schools Girls’ Under 19 Chess Championships 2019/20 sponsored by St Catherine’s Bramley

Now in its sixth year, the ECF National Girls’ Chess Championships goes from strength to strength, involving young female chess players from primary and secondary age groups. Last year’s Semi-Final set yet another record for attendance with over eighty teams taking part. Can we better that yet again in 2020? – Alice Phillips

Southern Semi-Final – St Catherine’s School Bramley – Sunday 12th January 2020 Web: www.stcatherines.info
Controller: IM Andrew Martin

Results – 8 teams qualify for the final
1st Brighton College – 12/15
2nd Chelmsford County High – 10.5
3rd= Stroud HS; St Paul’s GS; North London Collegiate A; Haberdasher’s Aske’s – 10
7th Abbey, Reading – 9.5
8th= NLC C (winner on tie break and qualifies); Highgate; Nonsuch A – 9

11th SPGS B – 8.5; 12th= Habs B; Henrietta Barnett A – 8; 14th Henrietta Barnett B – 7.5; 15th= Denmark Road; Habs C; Nonsuch B; South Hampstead; SPGS C – 7; 20th St Catherine’s A – 6.5; 21st= Henrietta Barnett C; NLC D; NLC B 6; 24th= Stroud B; Habs C – 5; 26th Habs D – 4.5; 27th= St Cats B; Abbey B; Prior’s Field

Northern Semi-Final – Bridgewater Independent School – Saturday 11th January 2020 Web: www.bridgewater-school.co.uk
Controller: Julian Clissold

Both events will start at 10am and finish at approximately 5pm. Teams comprise three players each, and all teams will play five rounds against other competing teams. The Swiss pairing system will be used. Players will have 30 minutes each on the chess clock.

The finals will be held over the weekend of 4th/5th April 2020 at St Catherine’s School. Overnight accommodation can be booked. The number of points scored will decide qualification and not individual match results.