Chess Scotland
Juniors
designed by kids,
for kids!
This year
the 24th Championship was held at the Dunolly
adventure Centre, Aberfeldy on the 3rd/4th
June.
This
event brings together most of the top Primary Chess playing children from all
parts of Scotland
who have competed in a variety of events during the
current season. It is the only two day Primary event where
the top Primary players put their reputations on the line against their
peers. It also gives the up and coming juniors who do not compete in week-end
adult events a chance to pit their wits against the best of their
compatriots. It is also played under a reasonable time control (30 moves in
45 minutes plus 15
minutes), is also the only Primary Event
where the notation of moves is compulsory.
This
event has recently been won by players who are now competing at the highest
level in Scottish and other adult events.
Previous winners include GRAEME KAFKA, JOE REDPATH, CHRISTOPHER
MCDONALD, ANDREW GREEN and CONNOR WOODS.
This year
JONNY WRIGHT returned to defend his title.
ROUND 1
As always
produced several surprises with three INTERNATIONALISTS BARNABY LEACH, KIRILL
MIKHAYLOV, and MARC WOODS losing to SAM TURNER BLYTH, CALUM HENNING and
ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN. Top seeds JONNY
WRIGHT, ALI ROY, ANDREW MCCLEMENT and
STUART
MCQUEEN all won.
Round 2 -
produced no surprises with all four top seeds winning.
Round 3 -
saw JONNY defeating STUART while ALI and ANDREW both won. First day ending
with JONNY, ANDREW, ALI on maximum points and SAMANTHA GEORGE on 2.5pts.
Saturday
evening saw the group taking part in supervised outdoor activities CLIMBING
WALL, TREE CLIMB and HIGH ROPE. All
looked pretty high and
scary to us oldies but most children
took it all in their stride enjoying it all despite the curse of the dreaded
SCOTTISH MIDGIES!!!!
ALI and
MARC WOODS were the only two who were able to actual stand and balance on one
foot on the high pole which was high enough for us to decide to award them
with certificates for bravery and foolhardiness!!
A special
mention to LARA BARNES the only adult brave enough to try the high ropes -
though not quite up to the standard of the children.
After
this ALEX and LARA organise a frantic 5 rounds of CRAZY CHESS with the winner
scoring 6 points – from the 5 rounds!! crazy???
A tired group
of children were in bed and lights out by 11.00pm while the adults enjoyed a
chocolate cake donated by a kind parent, along with some liquid to wash it
down.
SUNDAY -
Breakfast and all luggage out of rooms,
bedding removed we started the final day round
4 at 9.am - not too bad for children who were mostly still asleep at 7.45am.
ROUND 4 -
This round saw top seeds Jonny and Ali clash, in a
tense match JONNY finally overcame ALI'S stout defence to record a fourth
win. The surprise in this round was a fine win by SAMANTHA over ANDREW.
ROUND 5 -
JONNY defeated SAMANTHA very quickly and ANDREW returned to form with a win
over ALI in a hard fought game with ALI finally losing on adjudication after
a flag fall.
ROUND 6 -
With results in round 5 going his way JONNY only needed to draw his final
match to ensure his second Championship win. This he duly secured with a quick
draw against BARNABY. ANDREW defeated
STUART
and JONNY SCOTT drew with Samantha enabling him to finish
among the prize winners.
FINAL PLACINGS
PRIMARY
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION 2006 - JONNY WRIGHT 
5.5/6
RUNNER UP
- ANDREW MCCLEMENT - 5/6
THIRD PLACE - JONNY SCOTT - 4.5/6
(TIE BREAK)
FOURTH
- BARNABY LEACH - 4.5/6
At the
prize giving all competitors received certificates, with the winners
receiving trophies and vouchers.
As of yet
in the 24 years this event has been held we still await a girl winner. MAYBE NEXT YEAR !!!!!
By Norrie Mathie
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