South West Sussex Schools Chess Academy
About Chess Academies
Sussex Junior Chess established the Chess Academy concept as a way of encouraging wider participation in chess.
The programme seeks to liaise with schools within a geographic area and then to tailor fun, innovative, and age and experience appropriate chess events to suit that community. It is hoped that this will bring chess to a new audience, encouraging them to learn to play chess and offering them a path for progression through local clubs to County and even National level events.
David Graham, a coach with many years experience in junior chess is the Academy Director for the South West Sussex area.
SW Sussex Academy Event – Worthing – 21st December 2016
SW Sussex Academy Event – Worthing – 21st December 2016
Headline Results
School Teams:
| School | Points | |
| 1st | Broadwater Years 1-4 | 11 |
| 2nd | Westbourne House | 8 (on tie break) |
| 3rd | West Park CE Primary | 8 |
| 4th= | Arundel CE Primary | 7½ |
| Broadwater Years 5-6 | 7½ | |
| English Martyrs Primary | 7½ | |
| Lancing Prep (Worthing) | 7½ | |
| Steyning Primary | 7½ | |
| 9th | Vale Primary | 7 |
Individual Prizewinners:
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Arbiter’s Awards:
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Name |
School |
| Zac Casebow | Arundel CE Primary |
| Oliver Chapman-Smith | Steyning Primary |
| Madison Cox | Vale Primary |
| Mathilda Dunne-Nguyen | Steyning Primary |
| Shaugn-Jay Griffith | Chesswood Primary |
| Henry Heryet | Lancing Prep (Worthing) |
| Danny Lloyd | Steyning Primary |
| Ben McKay | Vale Primary |
| Peter O’Donnell | Elm Grove Primary |
| Harry Richardson | Lancing Prep (Worthing) |
| George Solomon | Chesswood Primary |
| Kian Sparks-Williams | Steyning Primary |
| Ella Thornburg | Arundel CE Primary |
| Alex Wood | Arundel CE Primary |
Report:
This was the 7th Academy event and we had a bumper turnout – 67 players, 10 school teams (3 or more players from one school) and an amazing 24 schools represented in all.
The aim of the event is to give children experience of playing outside of their home and school chess club – it is seen as a stepping stone into the main Sussex Junior Chess tournaments.
Behaviour, sportsmanship and concentration from the children was terrific and the tournament was played in a great spirit.
The children in years 1 to 5 were split into groups based on age. The older children were split into 2 groups based on ability and experience.
School chess clubs have only recently been established at Lancing Prep (Worthing), Steyning Primary and Westbourne House and they were well represented with Westbourne House taking 2nd place!
Congratulations to the Broadwater years 1-4 team who romped to victory in the schools team event. After them it was incredibly close. West Park were very unlucky to miss out on 2nd on tie-break but took away the 3rd place trophy. Arundel, Broadwater years 5-6, English Martyrs, Lancing Prep (Worthing) and Steyning Primary were all within a point of 3rd place.
Congratulations also to St. Margaret’s who scored 3 points with just 2 players after they lost a member to illness after round 1.
A tournament like this is not possible without support from the parents and helpers who give up their time to bring the children along, a big thanks to everyone. Thanks also to Durrington Community Centre for providing a great venue. I was also very fortunate to receive excellent support from Ken Haworth, Chris Jones and various members of my family for running the tournament and providing refreshments.
Dave Graham
