Naomi Long MLA invites top young chess players to Stormont for Awards and Competition.

After a full years calendar of monthly chess tournaments at Methodist College. The Childrens Chess series has resulted with 4 top players for Primary School, Lower Secondary School (F1-F3) and Upper Secondary School (F4-U6), Primary Puzzle Solving and Secondary Puzzle Solving. These players were picked by our Grandprix points system:

The scores for the tournaments are calculated on the position of the player in their section.

The top 3 scores over the series of the 5 tournaments are added together to calculate players scores. If players share points they share the prize.

Below I have listed the final positions for the year. The top 4 from each section were invited to this Stormont event and recieved trophies. The Champions recieving perpectual Shields. This award ceremony celebrates these talented young chess players.

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.

Primary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.

Lower Secondary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.

Senior Secondary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Edward Whiteside Shield.

Primary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Fergus O’Neill Shield.

Secondary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion

I like the idea of the exceptional Young Chess Player. This allows us to award a shield to a very young player who may not have yet won trophy but has played brilliantly over the year. This year sees it award to two brilliant players the young Matthew Loughrey (P3) who played brilliantly over the year against tough opposition and also came 3rd in the puzzle solving competition. Also sharing the prize is the talented Ethan Cole (P5) who won the Individual Ulster Schools Championship and is the Irish under 10 Champion - absolutely brilliant.

The Belfast Scholastic Henderson and Dawson Shield.

Exceptional Young Chess Player

Invites went out to the winners and their families, the Principals of the Students schools and volunteers.

Friday 10th June arrived. I picked up Brendan Jamison and Geoff Hindley. It was a sunny beautiful morning. Some gray clouds on the horizon. Arriving at Stormont we setup the room. Naomi Long MLA and some other MLA's and MP's were awaiting the arrival and a meeting with the Labour leader Keir Starmer. Naomi explained that the meeting was just before our event and that if it over-ran she would attend the event after the meeting and hand out the awards. As people arrived they saw the press and some saw Keir and other politicians. It added that extra sense of importance to the beautiful venue.

Our timetable for the day...

10:00   Arrival of Guests

10:15   Welcome speech and introduction by inviting MLA

10:30   Tour of Stormont (Events Office to meet group in Long Gallery)

11:00   Chess Tournament, coffee and tea served.

12:00   Principals alternative arrival time.

12:40   Award Ceremony

At 10:15 I welcomed the guests and the tour guide came up and took the group on what was described by a parent as a fascinating and humorus guide and history of the Building. It was enjoyed by all.

Whilst the group were touring, I and Graham Glendinning played a game of chess on one of the boards. A camera-man came in and took film of the large chess set and me and Graham playing chess. That night BBC Ulster News had this scene as their introduction to the visit to Stormont of the Labour Leader. Naomi latter mentioned she had told the camera crew that there was chess being played in the Long Room if they were interested.

With the return of the group we organised the chess players into the 3 groups, Geoff Hindley took the primary group, Brendan Jamison took the Senior Seconday group whilst Graham Glendinning took the Lower Secondary group.

Whilst the parents and teachers mingled the youngsters played chess.

Naomi Long MLA joined us and chatted with the students and parents. Making the morning even more special. Shes an absolutely brilliant host and everyone agreed that Naomi made the whole day really special.

Round 1.

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Primary 2022

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper

Round 2

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Primary 2022

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper

Round 3

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Primary 2022

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Primary

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper

Following the end of the tournament we held the award ceremony. The school representatives and ex Chair of the UCU Geoff Hindley formed a line of honor. The students recieved their cert and trophy from Naomi Long MLA and got their photos taken, then walked down the line of honor shaking hands and being congratulated by the Principals, Teachers. It was our youngest player's Matthew Loughrey's birthday - the room sang happy birthday. spontaneous and just added again to the fantastic atmosphere of celebration.

Photos from the award ceremony:

After the awards. Naomi Long MLA gave a brilliant farewell speach that so clearly enjoyed and celebrated the talent of these young players. Thanking  everyone and praising the talent of the players.

A brilliant event ending our chess year with a special memory. Many thanks to all at Stormont and especially to MLA Naomi Long.