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
Looking forward to September
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East Grinstead leads the way in return to over the board chess
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Sussex Under-11 Girls Second in National Final, 27th March 2021
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Sussex Under-11s vs. St. Alban’s Early Knights, 22nd March 2021
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Under 11 Inter-County Team Battle 20th March 2021
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Under 9 Inter-County Team Battle 13th March 2021
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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. **
Coronavirus/Covid-19 Update
Sussex Junior Chess are working towards holding a full season of chess events from September, subject to the national picture.
Provisionally, the first date for your diaries is Saturday 18th September for the Crowborough tournament – the first in our grand prix series.
Please be aware that covid restrictions may mean that our events look a little different to normal – we are awaiting clarification on matters such as catering and spectators. Updates will be posted here as the situation clarifies.
More Information 
ENTRY BY SELECTION ONLY
Invitation Only
SJC Coach David Graham is running online tournaments on Thursdays; 5:15 – 6:45pm.
Any Sussex Junior Chess player is welcome to attend.
Join for as long as you wish, you do not have to play the whole 1.5 hours.
You will need a lichess account – https://lichess.org/ – for safeguarding reasons you MUST contact Dave with both your real name and your Lichess name.
Each week there will be 2 tournaments set-up on lichess – experienced players should play in the Premiership and less experienced players (and players who can only play for part of the time) should choose the Championship.
I will email out the lichess URL for the tournaments on Tuesdays.
If you are not sure which tournament to enter, just get in touch.
More Information
Fast paced and fun team battle.
Any junior (aged under 18 on 31 August 2020) eligible to represent Sussex can join our team – contact us for the Lichess link.
Sussex eligibility: Resident in, attends school in, member of a chess club in Sussex or has previously represented Sussex in a national event.
SJC Coach David Graham is running online tournaments on Thursdays; 5:15 – 6:45pm.
Any Sussex Junior Chess player is welcome to attend.
Join for as long as you wish, you do not have to play the whole 1.5 hours.
You will need a lichess account – https://lichess.org/ – for safeguarding reasons you MUST contact Dave with both your real name and your Lichess name.
Each week there will be 2 tournaments set-up on lichess – experienced players should play in the Premiership and less experienced players (and players who can only play for part of the time) should choose the Championship.
I will email out the lichess URL for the tournaments on Tuesdays.
If you are not sure which tournament to enter, just get in touch.
More Information
ENTRY BY SELECTION ONLY
SJC Coach David Graham is running online tournaments on Thursdays; 5:15 – 6:45pm.
Any Sussex Junior Chess player is welcome to attend.
Join for as long as you wish, you do not have to play the whole 1.5 hours.
You will need a lichess account – https://lichess.org/ – for safeguarding reasons you MUST contact Dave with both your real name and your Lichess name.
Each week there will be 2 tournaments set-up on lichess – experienced players should play in the Premiership and less experienced players (and players who can only play for part of the time) should choose the Championship.
I will email out the lichess URL for the tournaments on Tuesdays.
If you are not sure which tournament to enter, just get in touch.
More Information
SJC Coach David Graham is running online tournaments on Thursdays; 5:15 – 6:45pm.
Any Sussex Junior Chess player is welcome to attend.
Join for as long as you wish, you do not have to play the whole 1.5 hours.
You will need a lichess account – https://lichess.org/ – for safeguarding reasons you MUST contact Dave with both your real name and your Lichess name.
Each week there will be 2 tournaments set-up on lichess – experienced players should play in the Premiership and less experienced players (and players who can only play for part of the time) should choose the Championship.
I will email out the lichess URL for the tournaments on Tuesdays.
If you are not sure which tournament to enter, just get in touch.
More Information
SJC Coach David Graham is running online tournaments on Thursdays; 5:15 – 6:45pm.
Any Sussex Junior Chess player is welcome to attend.
Join for as long as you wish, you do not have to play the whole 1.5 hours.
You will need a lichess account – https://lichess.org/ – for safeguarding reasons you MUST contact Dave with both your real name and your Lichess name.
Each week there will be 2 tournaments set-up on lichess – experienced players should play in the Premiership and less experienced players (and players who can only play for part of the time) should choose the Championship.
I will email out the lichess URL for the tournaments on Tuesdays.
If you are not sure which tournament to enter, just get in touch.
More Information