Chess Scotland President's Awards

Chess Scotland President, Donald Wilson, presented his first “President's Award” to longstanding champion of Borders junior schools chess, Tom Lawson, at the 26th Borders schools chess championships in February in Galashiels. (Craig Pritchett, Tom Lawson and Donald Wilson pictured).

A retired youth worker, Tom has been organising chess in many Borders' schools for a very long time. Without Tom, far less chess would be played in schools in the Borders. The annual schools championships, which regularly brings together up to about 20 primary age schools teams of four, owes much to Tom's hard work over the years.

This year's championships, as ever, gained considerable media coverage and the continuing support of Borders' Regional Council. Tom has built up a strong local team of supporting teachers and volunteer organisers, who make the whole event run not just efficiently, but with considerable fun.

In accepting his award, Tom modestly paid tribute to all those who have helped him over the years, including those teachers and volunteers who have taken an especial interest in promoting chess in individual schools and the longstanding sponsor of the championships, David Matthews Associates.

In presenting the award, Donald Wilson thanked Tom for his achievements in promoting schools chess in the Borders and wished him and his team and, of course, all championship participants, good luck in their games and events in the future. Craig Pritchett, who put forward Tom's name for the Award, also spoke warmly of Tom's achievements.

This year's Premier Group championship was again won by St Mary's, with Balmoral first in the Major League and St Peter's first in the Minor. St Mary's won the Quiz and St Ronan's the Problem Solving events that both ran through the day.

Individual prizes went to: Youngest Player - Daniel Kerr (Fountainhall (Aged 7); Leading boy - Callum Harvey-Crawford (St Mary's); Leading girl - Iona Kerr (St Mary's).

President's Awards are occasional awards within the gift of the current CS President for persons who in his / her view have made outstanding contributions to chess in Scotland.

2006 award