Sussex Junior Chess

Sussex Junior Chess is a not for profit organisation run by volunteers which exists to promote and popularise chess amongst school age children in the county.

We also select and run county teams – Under 9, Under 11, Under 11 Girls, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 16 & Under 18 – who compete in national events.

All surpluses from SJC events are used to develop junior chess in Sussex.

Training days take place about once a month during the school year at various schools around the county; catering for all ages (4 – 18) and all standards from complete beginner to England standard.

We run a series of 6 tournaments (grand prix) which are open to all, as well as smaller age-restricted tournaments open just to Sussex participants.

We run one of the largest competitions for Schools in the UK, with an average of 40 Sussex Schools entering teams at U11, U14, U16 and U19 age groups. We have also set up an ‘Academy Schools’ program to encourage wider participation in schools. If your school doesn’t have a chess club, we may be able to help you find a coach in your area.


Latest News

Sussex players in Usk

Sussex vs Wales in Usk

The Welsh National U18 team requested another tournament against England players and on Saturday, 13th July, 2024, a team from ...

Training day Simul, 9th June 2024

In the afternoon of our final coaching day of the season in Lewes, we hosted the traditional light hearted simultaneous, ...

Under 7 Championships, 9th June 2024

Thanks to our volunteers: Tournament Control: Gary McCulloch Entries: Steve Merchant Catering: Andy Collins, Mike Chapman, Nick Burgess, Nick Brown, ...

U12 and U14 England vs Wales, Bristol, 25th May 2024

A few Sussex players played in U12s and U14s England vs Wales international match in Bristol and won! The picture ...

Worthing Grand Prix, 18th May 2024

Everyone you see at our events is a volunteer so thanks to: Tournament Control: Sharon Merchant, Sammie Finlay, Nick Brown ...

Under 11 Team National Final, Northampton, 11th May 2024

The under 11 team managed a fantastic performance to finish in 5th place, behind Kent, Barnet, Oxfordshire and Essex in ...

Upcoming Events

Full information about the events we organise can be found on our Events Page.

You can book any of our events using our online system.

Entries will close at 6:00pm the day before the event to allow us time to prepare the event – for example ensuring we have sufficient and appropriate coaches on training days; and sufficient equipment and staffing for tournaments

** We politely ask that you do not turn up without prior registration as this causes delays inconveniencing other attendees. **


Book online
Sep
21
Sat
Grand Prix 1 – Crowborough @ Crowborough Community Centre
Sep 21 @ 9:45 am – 5:45 pm
Grand Prix 1 - Crowborough @ Crowborough Community Centre
Location Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1DW What is a ‘Grand Prix’? The Sussex Junior Chess ‘Grand Prix’ comprises a series of 6 Open tournaments throughout the year. Tournaments are standalone, but a player’s best four results count towards a Grand Prix final placing at the end of the season.  Prizes are awarded to the top three placed players in each age group with medals for those competing in at least five of the six events. Eligibility Open to anyone aged under 18 years at midnight on August 31st 2024.   Which section should I enter – Under 11 Minor & Major, U18 Minor & Major? Minor sections are for weaker players and those new to tournament chess. The U18 Minor is restricted to players graded 100 or less on the most recent ECF grading list. Players selected to the U9 and U11 County squads will be expected to enter the U11 Major section. Winners will be expected to move up to a higher section in subsequent events. The tournament organisers reserve the right to place a player in the major section if they consider this to be appropriate.  A player may enter a higher section if they wish. In the event of low entries, sections may be merged. *** Important Note: We are sharing the venue with the all-ages Crowborough Chess Club Rapidplay; if you are an experienced player considering entering the U18 Major you may wish to consider entering the Crowborough CC event. ***   Prizes: U18 Major and U18 Minor:  Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and grading prizes U11 Major and U11 Minor: Trophies for the top three places in each section. Trophies for the top placed player in each age group from U7 – U10 from either (but not both) of the under 11 sections. Trophy for the top girl from either (but not both) of the under 11 sections. Rate of Play Fischer time control – 25 mins plus 5 secs a move. ECF rapidplay rules will apply.  A brief explanation is always given at the start of the competition for those not familiar with chess clocks. Timetable
Round 1 10:00 – 11:00 Round 2 11:15 – 12:15
Lunch
Round 3 12:45 – 13:45 Round 4 14:00 – 15:00
Round 5 15:15 – 16:15 Round 6 16:30 – 17:30
Prize giving approximately 5:45
Please note 9:45 registration to ensure a prompt start at 10:00 Unregistered players arriving after 9:45 will miss round 1. A half point bye may be awarded at the organisers’ discretion Entry fees:
  Early Entry (5 or more days before the event)   Late Entry (within 5 days of the event)  
1 Junior £22 £26
1 junior (ECF member at Silver level or above) £19 £23
Family Ticket* £40 £48
Family Ticket* (ECF members at Silver level or above £34 £42
* Covers 2 – 5 siblings living at the same address Our volunteers work hard in advance of each event to ensure you have the best possible experience. Entries close at 6pm the day before the event to allow time to prepare the tournament. Entries on the day cause considerable disruption and result in the event starting late. Therefore, players who turn up on the day without prior registration incur an additional late fee of £7 per player. Supervision of Children The organisers and their helpers cannot accept responsibility for juniors. Children under the age of 8 years will not be allowed to participate unless supervised by a parent/guardian throughout the whole event. Children over the age of 8 years may be supervised by an adult nominated by their parents (though this cannot be a coach). However, parents/guardians should note that they are still ultimately responsible for their children at all times and in all places during this event (including whilst their children are in session with a coach or playing a game during a tournament). Photographs and Database Entry to this event is on the understanding that results and photographs may be used for publicity including in the press, and on our website. If you do not wish your child to be photographed please let an organiser know at registration. Your details will also be held on  our database for the purposes of advising you of events, and County team selection. We never share your details with third parties. Catering A comprehensive range of hot and cold snacks is provided at all SJC events including sandwiches, confectionery and hot and cold drinks. Disclaimer The Organisers and their helpers accept no responsibility for any damage, theft or accident to the person or property of any competitor, trainee or other visitor at this event. Nor are they responsible for the effects of actions of anyone else attending this event. SJC Bursary Fund The SJC Bursary fund has been established to assist Sussex families in need with expenses.  We welcome enquiries in strict confidence to bursar@sussexjuniorchess.org ECF Grading All games will be submitted to the ECF for grading.
Oct
19
Sat
Grand Prix 2 – Worth @ Worth School
Oct 19 @ 9:45 am – 5:45 pm
Grand Prix 2 - Worth @ Worth School

Location

Worth School, Paddockhurst Rd, Turners Hill, RH10 4SD

What is a ‘Grand Prix’?

The Sussex Junior Chess ‘Grand Prix’ comprises a series of 6 Open tournaments throughout the year. Tournaments are standalone, but a player’s best four results count towards a Grand Prix final placing at the end of the season.  Prizes are awarded to the top three placed players in each age group with medals for those competing in at least five of the six events.

Eligibility

Open to anyone aged under 18 years at midnight on August 31st 2024.

 

Which section should I enter—GP2 (LJCC qualifier) – Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 18

The SJC Worth Open is registered as a qualifying tournament for The London Junior Chess Championships (www.ljcc.co.uk) and the sections reflect this. You should enter the section appropriate to your age. A player may play in an older section if they wish.

 

Prizes:

Prizes—GP2 (LJCC qualifier)

U18 :  Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and grading prizes

U8, U10, U12: Trophies for the top three places in each section. Trophy for the top girl in each section.

No player may win more than one trophy

 

Rate of Play

Fischer time control – 25 mins plus 5 secs a move. ECF rapidplay rules will apply.  A brief explanation is always given at the start of the competition for those not familiar with chess clocks.

Timetable

Round 1 10:00 – 11:00 Round 2 11:15 – 12:15
Lunch
Round 3 12:45 – 13:45 Round 4 14:00 – 15:00
Round 5 15:15 – 16:15 Round 6 16:30 – 17:30
Prize giving approximately 5:45

Please note 9:45 registration to ensure a prompt start at 10:00

Unregistered players arriving after 9:45 will miss round 1. A half point bye may be awarded at the organisers’ discretion

Entry fees:

  Early Entry

(5 or more days before the event)

 

Late Entry

(within 5 days of the event)

 

1 Junior £22 £26
1 junior (ECF member at Silver level or above) £19 £23
Family Ticket* £40 £48
Family Ticket* (ECF members at Silver level or above £34 £42

* Covers 2 – 5 siblings living at the same address

Our volunteers work hard in advance of each event to ensure you have the best possible experience. Entries close at 6pm the day before the event to allow time to prepare the tournament. Entries on the day cause considerable disruption and result in the event starting late.

Therefore, players who turn up on the day without prior registration incur an additional late fee of £7 per player.

Supervision of Children

The organisers and their helpers cannot accept responsibility for juniors.

Children under the age of 8 years will not be allowed to participate unless supervised by a parent/guardian throughout the whole event.

Children over the age of 8 years may be supervised by an adult nominated by their parents (though this cannot be a coach). However, parents/guardians should note that they are still ultimately responsible for their children at all times and in all places during this event (including whilst their children are in session with a coach or playing a game during a tournament).

Photographs and Database

Entry to this event is on the understanding that results and photographs may be used for publicity including in the press, and on our website. If you do not wish your child to be photographed please let an organiser know at registration. Your details will also be held on  our database for the purposes of advising you of events, and County team selection. We never share your details with third parties.

Catering

A comprehensive range of hot and cold snacks is provided at all SJC events including sandwiches, confectionery and hot and cold drinks.

Disclaimer

The Organisers and their helpers accept no responsibility for any damage, theft or accident to the person or property of any competitor, trainee or other visitor at this event. Nor are they responsible for the effects of actions of anyone else attending this event.

SJC Bursary Fund

The SJC Bursary fund has been established to assist Sussex families in need with expenses.  We welcome enquiries in strict confidence to bursar@sussexjuniorchess.org

ECF Grading

All games will be submitted to the ECF for grading.