Northampton
Junior Chess Club

Northampton Junior Chess Club vs Kingsley Primary School

Tuesday, 5th February, 2013

Today we visited Kingsley Primary School in Northampton for a friendly chess match; hopefully the first of many matches against local schools. We took eight members along to play against the six players the school had available.

The first round went as follows:

   Northampton JCC       Kingsley Primary

1.         Ethan R  1-0  Oliver

2.        George H  1-0  Omar

3.            Josh  1-0  Jahedal

4.          Bryony  1-0  Callum

5.          Finlay  1-0  Harry

6.           Jenna  1-0  Najmul

A clean-sweep, although not without a scare or two; Josh had to work hard to recover from an early blunder, but managed a win in the end.

Then a second round, swapping opponents and letting our two other members have a game:

   Northampton JCC       Kingsley Primary

1.         Ethan R  1-0  Omar

2.        George H  1-0  Oliver

3.            Josh  1-0  Callum

4.          Bryony  1-0  Jahedal

5.          Sophie  1-0  Harry

6.          Edward  1-0  Najmul

100% again; this time Edward had to recover from a bad mistake, and Sophie's game was a marathon rather than a sprint!

The 12-0 scoreline does not really do Kingsley Primary justice; considering their players have only been playing since September at the earliest, they played well, and were unlucky not to convert a couple of good positions into wins.

We look forward to hosting them in a return match some time, logistics permitting, and our thanks to Kim at the school for inviting/hosting us.

2013 Northamptonshire Junior Chess Championships

Saturday, 2nd February, 2013

Our biggest turn-out yet at a tournament took place at the County Junior Championships this weekend, with 20 of our members present; here are their results:

U18 (inc. U16/U14/U12)

AGMA  Agatha Mann        LLWLLL = 1.0/6

ANTO  Aneurin Tomkins    LLLWLW = 2.0/6

BRTO  Briony Tomkins     LWLWWL = 3.0/6

ELRE  Elliott Reed       WLWWLW = 4.0/6

HABO  Harry Horner       WLWLWL = 3.0/6

HACR  Harvey Craddock    WLLWWW = 4.0/6

JARI  Jay Rihal          LLWLWD = 2.5/6



U11 (inc. U10)

ETMA  Ethan Majeks       WWLWWL = 4.0/6

BRMA  Bryony Marsh       WLWLLW = 3.0/6

ETRO  Ethan Rowe         WWLWWL = 4.0/6

GEGA  George Gammage     LWLWWL = 3.0/6

GEBO  George Horner      WLWWWL = 4.0/6

JEMA  Jenna Marsh        LLWWLL = 2.0/6



U9 (inc. U8/U7)

EUMA  Euan Marsh         LWWWLW = 4.0/6

FIDM  Finlay De Meo      WWWWLW = 5.0/6  "U9 Runner-Up"

JOKH  Josh Khangura      WWWLWW = 5.0/6

KAMA  Kitty Marsh        LLLLWW = 2.0/6

RHMA  Rhianna Marsh      WLLWWL = 3.0/6  "U9 Best Girl"

SASE  Sandeep Seth       WLLLDW = 2.5/6  "U7 Runner-Up"

VISU  Vignesh Sudhakar   WWLWWL = 4.0/6  "U8 Champion"

Well done to all of them, particularly Vignesh, now the U8 County Champion, and Sandeep, who has only been with us for a few weeks, is only 5 years old, and got 2.5 out of 6 to pick up the U7 runner-up trophy!

Running alongside the individual competition was the school teams competition; this is decided by taking the best four results from all members of the school, and adding them up to give the score for the team.

The U9 team competition was won by Preston Hedges Primary School, comprising of Finlay, Josh, and Vignesh, all from our club; what makes this all the more impressive is that they only had 3 scores to add together, and beat the other teams who had 4 scores! Amazing results from all three of them, both individually and as a team; well done!

The U11 team competition runners-up were the Home-Educated team, comprising of Bryony, Rhianna, Euan, and Ethan R (the top four scorers), plus Jenna and Kitty; well done to them too!

9th Northants Christmas Congress

Saturday, 29th December, 2012

Today was the 9th Northants Christmas Congress, and 12 of our members attended. Here are their results:

U14

JARI  Jay Rihal         LLWDW = 2.5/5

ELRE  Elliott Reed      LWWWL = 3.0/5

HABO  Harry Horner      LLWLW = 2.0/5



U11 (inc. U10)

BRMA  Bryony Marsh      WLWLW = 3.0/5  "U11 Best Girl", "U11 Best Game"

GEBO  George Horner     LWWLW = 3.0/5

ETRO  Ethan Rowe        WWLWW = 4.0/5  "U11 Best Northants", "U10 Winner"

JEMA  Jenna Marsh       LLWWL = 2.0/5



U9 (inc. U8+U7)

RHMA  Rhianna Marsh     LWWLL = 2.0/5  "U9 Best Girl"

EUMA  Euan Marsh        WWLLW = 3.0/5

KAMA  Kathryn Marsh     LLLLW = 1.0/5  "U7 Best Girl"

FIDM  Finlay De Meo     LWDDL = 2.0/5

SRKA  Sriram Karthi     LWDWL = 2.5/5

Competition was very fierce, with most of the top county players in attendance, which makes the above results all the more impressive. A special mention too for former members Eva Ressel (WWWLL, 3/5) and Harry Bowman (WLLWW, 3/5) who played very well in the very challenging U14 group.

2012 Q4 Results

Friday, 14th December, 2012

Tonight was our quarterly Fun/Awards night. After a short warm-up of Card Chess and Crazy Chess, we moved on to an Exchange Tournament. After four hectic rounds, we had a winner, with four wins out of four games: Aaron Rihal. Congratulations to Aaron, who earned a bag of sweets for his efforts, as did Mark Impey who came second, at the head (by tie-break) of several players who finished on three out of four.

Then came the presentation for this quarter; the awards went as follows:

Medals for Ladder results:

Beginners - 1st: Archie Waldron, 2nd: Liam Beirne
Pawns - 1st: James Swann, 2nd: Dylan Cavill
Knights - 1st: Patrick Harrison, 2nd: Finlay De Meo
Bishops - 1st: Jenna Marsh, 2nd: George Gammage
Rooks - 1st: Josh Khangura, 2nd: Ethan Majeks
Queens - 1st: Ethan Rowe, 2nd: Harry Horner

Trophies for All-Play-All results:

Pawns - 1st: Dylan Cavill, 2nd: James Swann
Knights - 1st: Sriram Karthi, 2nd: Finlay De Meo
Bishops - 1st: Mark Impey, 2nd: Jenna Marsh
Rooks - 1st: Harvey Craddock, 2nd: Josh Khangura
Queens - 1st: Elliott Reed, 2nd: Aaron Rihal

Best Improver awards:

Patrick Harrison (+155)
Finlay De Meo (+113)
Sriram Karthi (+76)
Archie Waldron (+72)

Promotions/demotions followed; check the rankings page for details, as all ranks have been updated!

I hope all our members have a great Christmas break; 2013 Q1 starts on Friday 4th January. Also coming soon are the NSCA's Christmas Congress (Saturday 29th December), and the Northamptonshire County Championships (Saturday 2nd February).

Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2013 to you all!

33rd Northamptonshire Congress

Saturday, 17th November, 2012

Today saw the first of the NSCA-run tournaments of this season, the 33rd Northamptonshire Congress, held at Malcolm Arnold Academy in Northampton. 18 of our members, plus one extra sibling, attended the tournament; there was some tough opposition, particularly as this was a qualifying event for the London Junior Chess Championships (to be held in December). Here's our scores:

U18

AARI  Aaron Rihal       LWLWWL = 3.0/6

HACR  Harvey Craddock   WLWLWW = 4.0/6 "U14 Runner-Up"

JARI  Jay Rihal         WLWWLL = 3.0/6

BRTO  Briony Tomkins    LDLBLW = 2.5/6

HABO  Harry Horner      LLWWWL = 3.0/6



U12

AGMA  Agatha Mann       LWLLWL = 2.0/6

ANTO  Aneurin Tomkins   LWLWLL = 2.0/6

BRMA  Bryony Marsh      LWLWLW = 3.0/6 "U11 =Best Girl"

ETMA  Ethan Majeks      WWLDWL = 3.5/6 "U12 Best Game"

GEBO  George Horner     WWWLLL = 3.0/6



U10

ETRO  Ethan Rowe        WWWLLW = 4.0/6

GEGA  George Gammage    LLWWWL = 3.0/6

JEMA  Jenna Marsh       WLLLWW = 3.0/6 "U10 Best Girl"

SAFU  Sam Fuller        LWLLLB = 2.0/6

JOKH  Josh Khangura     WWLWWD = 4.5/6 "U9 =Winner"

FIDM  Finlay De Meo     WLWLWD = 3.5/6

EUMA  Euan Marsh        WLLWWD = 3.5/6



U8

VISU  Vignesh Sudhakar  LWDWLW = 3.5/6

      Kathryn Marsh     LLBDLL = 1.5/6

Preston Hedges Primary School was equal runner-up in the U9 team event, and their team comprised of three of our members: Josh Khangura, Finlay De Meo, and Vignesh Sudhakar.

Also, those of our members who are home-educated also formed a team, and that team was runner-up in the U11 team event; that team was comprised of: Ethan Rowe, Euan Marsh, Bryony Marsh, and Jenna Marsh.

Well done to all our prize-winners, and thank you to all our members that came for your efforts and support; it was another great turnout from our club!

NJCC 2012 Club Championship

Sunday, 21st October, 2012

Today was our second annual Club Championship, which, in stark contrast to last year's clear winner, had three tie on the same score, with the winner decided by tie-break. Congratulations to Ethan Rowe, our new Club Champion for 2012, and well done to all for their flawless behaviour, great sportsmanship, and some excellent chess. Here's a full results breakdown:

ETRO  Ethan Rowe        WWLWWW = 5.0/6   =1st/26 (1/3) "Club Champion"

AARI  Aaron Rihal       WWWWWL = 5.0/6   =1st/26 (2/3) "U16 Champion"

ETMA  Ethan Majeks      LWWWWW = 5.0/6   =1st/26 (3/3) "U11 Champion"

HABO  Harry Horner      WWDLWW = 4.5/6    4th/26       "U13 Champion" & "Best Game #1"

HACR  Harvey Craddock   WLWWLW = 4.0/6   =5th/26 (1/3) "U14 Champion"

COFI  Cory Fidler       WWWLLW = 4.0/6   =5th/26 (2/3) "Grading Performance Award"

BRMA  Bryony Marsh      WLWLWW = 4.0/6   =5th/26 (3/3)

JARI  Jay Rihal         WWDWLL = 3.5/6   =8th/26 (1/2)

JOKH  Josh Khangura     WDWLLW = 3.5/6   =8th/26 (2/2) "U9 Champion"

ELRE  Elliott Reed      WLLWWL = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (1/8) "Best Game #1"

PAHA  Patrick Harrison  LWLWWL = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (2/8)

JAMC  Jack McLaughlin   LLBWLW = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (3/8) "Last Starter Award #2"

FIDM  Finlay De Meo     WLWLLW = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (4/8)

SRKA  Sriram Karthi     LDDWWL = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (5/8)

JEMA  Jenna Marsh       LWWLWL = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (6/8) "U10 Champion"

EDLO  Edward Lowe       LWLLWW = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (7/8) "Best Game #2"

GEBO  George Horner     ---WWW = 3.0/6  =10th/26 (8/8)

AGMA  Agatha Mann       LDWWLL = 2.5/6  =18th/26 (1/2) "U12 Champion"

GEGA  George Gammage    LLDWLW = 2.5/6  =18th/26 (2/2) "Late Starter Award #1"

EUMA  Euan Marsh        WLLWLL = 2.0/6  =20th/26 (1/3) "Grading Performance Award"

JAWI  James Willis      LBLLWL = 2.0/6  =20th/26 (2/3)

SAAY  Samuel Ayton      LLWLWL = 2.0/6  =20th/26 (3/3)

THCH  Thomas Chalkley   BDLLLL = 1.5/6  =23rd/26 (1/2)

JASW  James Swann       LWLLLD = 1.5/6  =23rd/26 (2/2) "Best Game #2"

SAFU  Sam Fuller        WLLLLL = 1.0/6   25th/26

VISU  Vignesh Sudhakar  LLLLLD = 0.5/6   26th/26       "U8 Champion"

Note that those with equal scores are also ranked according to tie-breaker scores.

The "Grading Performance Award" was awarded to the two players who, to over-simplify somewhat, played at a stronger level than usual, by the largest margin.

Once again, behaviour, sportmanship, participation, and effort were all at exceptional levels, and some great chess was played. This has been a fantastic warm-up for the chess season ahead, and I look forward to seeing how well they all do in the forthcoming tournaments.

A big thank you to Cedar Road Primary School (particularly Kay and Ian) for the venue; Tim and Steve (our coaches) for supervising the play; Julie and Claire (parents/helpers) for general assistance/supervision; and Sarah (parent) for refreshments.

Northampton JCC vs Rugby JCC

Sunday, 7th October, 2012

This afternoon we visited Rugby Junior Chess Club to play a match, our first club vs. club event. Eight of our members took on eight of theirs, and then switched around a little for another eight games.

The results of the first round were:

     Northampton       Rugby

1.  Harry Horner  0-1  Shivi Ravi

2.    Ethan Rowe  0-1  William Kendall

3.  Elliott Reed  1-0  Kai Cockerell

4. George Horner  0-1  Jonathan Payne

5.   Aaron Rihal  0-1  Leo Johnson

6.     Jay Rihal  1-0  Parth Joshi

7.  Ethan Majeks  1-0  Kieren Roberts

8.  Bryony Marsh  1-0  Victor Moody

A very close round; as the results came in, it was one for us, one for them, until we reached 4-4!

The second round went like this:

     Northampton       Rugby

1.    Ethan Rowe  0-1  Shivi Ravi

2.  Harry Horner  1-0  William Kendall

3. George Horner  1-0  Kai Cockerell

4.  Elliott Reed  ½-½  Jonathan Payne

5.     Jay Rihal  0-1  Leo Johnson

6.   Aaron Rihal  1-0  Parth Joshi

7.  Bryony Marsh  1-0  Kieren Roberts

8.  Ethan Majeks  1-0  Victor Moody

An interesting round for us coaches to watch, with many of the games being close, and a fascinating game on board 1 between Ethan and Shivi. In the end, we managed to take the round 5½-2½, giving us an overall victory 9½-6½.

Our thanks to Bob at Rugby Junior Chess Club for hosting us at their venue, and thanks and well done to all the players at both clubs who represented their clubs well with some great chess and excellent behaviour and sportsmanship, and we look forward to hosting Rugby in Northampton early next year!

[Update: Read more on RJCC's blog post.]

2012 Q3 Results

Friday, 28th September, 2012

Tonight was our quarterly Fun/Awards night. First was a simultaneous display by two of our coaches, Tim and Steve, who took on all the members at the same time, with about 20 games in progress at once. Following that was a series of chess variants, including Card Chess, Crazy Chess, and Rifle Chess.

Then it was time for the presentation for this quarter; the awards were as follows:

Medals for Ladder results:

Beginners - 1st: James Swann, 2nd: Luke Cannon
Pawns - 1st: Samuel Ayton, 2nd: Finlay De Meo
Knights - 1st: Aneurin Tomkins, 2nd: Jenna Marsh
Bishops - 1st: Cory Fidler, 2nd: Agatha Mann
Rooks - 1st: Ethan Majeks, 2nd: Josh Khangura
Queens - 1st: Ethan Rowe, 2nd: Harry Horner

Trophies for All-Play-All results:

Pawns - 1st: Samuel Ayton, 2nd: Sriram Karthi
Knights - 1st: Aneurin Tomkins, 2nd: Edward Lowe
Bishops - 1st: Cory Fidler, 2nd: Agatha Mann
Rooks - 1st: Jay Rihal, 2nd: Aaron Rihal
Queens - 1st: Harry Horner, 2nd: Ethan Rowe

Best Improver awards:

Finlay De Meo (+98)
Samuel Ayton (+92)
James Swann (+91)
Luke Cannon (+62)

Everyone's ranks have been updated with any promotions, so check out the rankings page for details!

Well done to all! 2012 Q4 starts next week, Friday 5th October, and runs until the Christmas break. Also coming soon are the NJCC Club Championship (21st October), the Northamptonshire Junior Congress (17th November), and the Christmas Congress (29th December); more details later.

UK Chess Challenge Gigafinal

Monday, 9th July, 2012

Over the weekend, nine of our members attended the UK Chess Challenge Gigafinal in Derby, with the U7s-U10s competing on Saturday, and the U11s-U18s competing on Sunday.

Here are the results:

Saturday:

ETRO  Ethan Rowe     WWWWLW = 5.0/6 (U9B)  =2nd

ETMA  Ethan Majeks   WLWLWD = 3.5/6 (U10B)

JOKH  Josh Khangura  WLDLWW = 3.5/6 (U8B)

BRMA  Bryony Marsh   LWWLLL = 2.0/6 (U10G)



Sunday:

EVRE  Eva Ressel     ?????? = 5.0/6 (U12G) 2nd

ELRE  Elliott Reed   LWWDLW = 3.5/6 (U12B)

HABO  Harry Horner   ?????? = 2.0/6 (U12B)

OWEA  Owen Earl      ?????? = 2.0/6 (U11B)

JARI  Jay Rihal      ?????? = 2.0/6 (U13B)

Well done, all; you were all competing amongst the top 500 players in your age groups from across the north of England (and Scotland and Northern Ireland, too), so these are excellent results. Congratulations to Ethan R and Eva who came 2nd in their age groups, and have therefore qualified for the "Challengers" section of the Terafinal.