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
2018-19 Season Grand Prix Placings
Read More
Worthing Grand Prix, 18th May 2019
Read More
The Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge Sussex Megafinal, 11th May
Read More
NCJS Trial News
Read More
Delancey UK Chess Challenge Successes
Read More
EPSCA County Championships Grand Prix
Read More
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. **
Entry form Future Dates for your diary:
Thursday 25th July 2019
SUSSEX JUNIOR CHESS UCKFIELD ACADEMY EVENT – Friday 31st May 2019 – Uckfield Youth Centre
All day event:- 9.00.am registration; 4.00.pm finish with presentations
A Junior Chess event is to be held at the Uckfield Youth Centre, next to Uckfield Community Technology College (UCTC), Downsview Crescent, Uckfield TN22 3DJ.
The event will be a training day entitled `Minor Mayhem’ and mainly focused on improving skills in the use of the bishop and knight as minor pieces in combination, so will be of benefit to players of all abilities including beginners, but will involve learning through competitive play. A Top School trophy will be awarded at the final presentation, but there will also be individual prizes for year groups as well as the top three in the main competition element. This event is suitable to all who can play the game and is open to all junior ages and abilities.
The object of the event is to encourage all levels and ages of junior players to play in and to increase their experience and enjoyment of tournament Chess and meet others of like mind in this area.
The cost for the event will be £10. Cheques should be made payable to Sussex Junior Chess.
Sussex Junior Chess are not responsible for transport to/from the Centre and children attending will need a packed lunch and drinks for the day. Refreshments will not be supplied.
Disclaimer: Organisers and helpers accept no responsibility for any damage, theft or accident to the person or property of any competitor or visitor at this event. Nor are they responsible for the effects of actions of anyone else attending this event.
Supervision: Organisers and helpers cannot act ‘in loco parentis’ for juniors. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children at all times and in all places during this event.
The deadline for entries is the first post on Thursday 30th May 2019.
Please send your entry form to:
Mr Brian Stockham, 36 Scarletts Close, Rocks Park, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 2BA.
Entry Form
Future Dates for your diary:
Wednesday 24th July 2019
Location
Great Walstead School, East Mascalls Lane, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16 2QL
Eligibility
Open to Sussex players who meet the age qualification for the event they are entering. Players may ‘play up’ if they wish.
Sussex Eligibility: resident in, or attend school or chess club in Sussex, or have previously represented Sussex in a chess tournament.
Age Eligibility: players must be under the age at midnight on 31st August 2018
School Teams
Schools with three or more players in an age group and who complete all rounds will be eligible for the school team prizes. The best three scores will be totalled to arrive at the School total. In the event of a tie, the score of a school’s fourth best player will be used as a tie break.
All events—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
Timetable
Each round lasts for 30 minutes. Games unfinished at the end of 30 minutes will be adjudicated. This is not a knockout tournament – every child plays in every round. Clocks will not be used.
| Round 1 10:00 – 10:30 | Round 2 10:45 – 11:15 |
| Round 3 11:30 – 12:00 | Round 4 12:15 – 12:45 |
| Round 5 13:00 – 13:30 | |
| Prize giving approximately 13:45 | |
Prizes
Trophies will be awarded to the top three players. The winner will receive the title of Sussex U7 Champion.
A trophy will be awarded to the top girl.
School Teams: School trophy and individual medals for the three highest placed school teams.
Entry fees
| Entry Fee | Early Entry (5 or more days before the event) | Late Entry (within 5 days of the event) |
| 1 junior | £8 | £11 |
| 2 or more juniors * | £7 each | £10 each |
* Either same family (third and subsequent siblings free) or same school when booked at the same time
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 £4 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
This event will NOT be graded.
Location
Great Walstead School, East Mascalls Lane, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16 2QL
Eligibility
Open to anyone aged under 18 at midnight on August 31st 2018 and who is either resident in, or attends school in Sussex.
I’m a beginner, is this for me?
Definitely yes. If you like playing chess, then you’ll love playing better. Our training sessions are for boys and girls of any level – and we emphasise enjoyment, not just ‘classroom’ learning.
Half day training (2½ hours) is especially suitable for beginners and younger children whose concentration spans may be limited.
Just mention when you enter that you are a beginner and we will make sure that you receive the most suitable trainer.
Do I have to go to all training sessions?
No, but most juniors just love coming to see their friends and working their way towards a place in one of the county teams.
Timetable
Registration 9:45
We will let you know which group you are with and how the day is to be organised.
Morning session 10:00 – 12:30
While concentration levels are good, this is when most of the serious training takes place!
Lunch break 12:30 – 1:30
Afternoon session 1:30 – 4:00
More loosely organised with games and quizzes. Established favourites are consultation team matches (here 5 juniors and their trainer take on a similar group in a different room!) and simultaneous matches (where some 30 juniors take on a top trainer).
Who are the trainers?
We have several professional chess coaches, and also club players who have been specially selected for their ability to work with young people. All hold enhanced DBS clearance for working with children.
Entry fees
| Entry Fee | Early Entry (5 or more days before the event) | Late Entry (within 5 days of the event) |
| 1 junior | £12 | £16 |
| Family Ticket * | £22 | £30 |
| Half Day | £7 | £11 |
| Half Day Family Ticket * | £12 | £20 |
* 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 allocate players to their training groups. 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 £4 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
ENTRY BY QUALIFICATION FROM A MEGAFINAL
ENTRY BY QUALIFICATION FROM A MEGAFINAL ONLY
SUSSEX JUNIOR CHESS UCKFIELD ACADEMY EVENT – Wednesday 24th July 2019 – Uckfield Youth Centre
All day event:- 9.00.am registration; 4.00.pm finish with presentations
A Junior Chess event is to be held at the Uckfield Youth Centre, next to Uckfield Community Technology College (UCTC), Downsview Crescent, Uckfield TN22 3DJ.
Details to follow, more information from:
Mr Brian Stockham, 36 Scarletts Close, Rocks Park, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 2BA.
Entry Form
Future Dates for your diary:
tbc
SUSSEX JUNIOR CHESS BURGESS HILL ACADEMY EVENT – Thursday 25th July 2019 – King’s Centre, Burgess Hill
All day event:- 9.30.am registration; 4.45.pm finish with presentations
A Junior Chess event is to be held at The King’s Centre, 33-35 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR.
Further info to follow.
Entry form to follow
Future Dates for your diary:
tbc
Entry Form