The end of the chess session and we have a wonderful morning at Stormont with Naomi Long MLA as our host. The pupils play chess in a tournament and get a tour of this historic building. One of the highlights of our chess year.

The timetable for the morning :

Time    Description

10:00    Arrival

10:15    Welcome.

10:30    Tour of Stormont

11:00    Chess Tournament, coffee and tea served.

12:00     Principals alternative arrival time.

12:40    Award Ceremony: Ms Naomi Long MLA

13:15    Farewells

Myself, Geoff Hindley and Karina Campbell arrived early and setup the Long Gallery for the event, with chess sets, the trophies and a large chess set.

Youngsters, parents and school Principals and teachers started to arrive.

At 10:15 Mark Newman Welcomed everyone and explained the timetable for the morning.

We were then taken on a brilliant tour of this historical and beautiful building. The elegent marble work done by Italian experts, the symmetry of the building, the golden chandalier borrowed from Windsor. Then we went to the two debating chambers. An excellent and fascinating tour. Many thanks to our tour guide.

Returning to the Long Gallery. The youngsters were split into their age groups and played in chess tournament. Whilst this was taking place the adults mingled and enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits.

We had 6 players who had won awards that didnt match our tournaments. So we had as in previous years run an extra tournament - The Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Exceptional Young Player. We played a 5 round all-play-all with a shorter time limit of 8mins each.

Exceptional Elite Stormont - Round 1

Results

No Name                       Result   Name             

 1 Shreyas Chandra Marrivada    0:1    Abhiram Ganja    
 2 Aarin Micheal                1:0    Sanvi Shambharkar
 3 Corey Castillo               0:1    Rizwan Arshed    

by Swiss Perfect (TM)  www.swissperfect.com

Exceptional Elite Stormont - Round 2

Results

No Name               Result   Name                     

 1 Rizwan Arshed        0:1    Shreyas Chandra Marrivada
 2 Sanvi Shambharkar    0:1    Corey Castillo           
 3 Abhiram Ganja        0:1    Aarin Micheal            

Exceptional Elite Stormont - Round 3

Results

No Name            Result   Name                     

 1 Aarin Micheal     1:0    Shreyas Chandra Marrivada
 2 Corey Castillo    1:0    Abhiram Ganja            
 3 Rizwan Arshed     1:0    Sanvi Shambharkar       

Exceptional Elite Stormont - Round 4

Results

No Name                       Result   Name             

 1 Shreyas Chandra Marrivada    1:0    Sanvi Shambharkar
 2 Abhiram Ganja                0:1    Rizwan Arshed    
 3 Aarin Micheal                0:1    Corey Castillo   

Exceptional Elite Stormont - Round 5

Results

No Name               Result   Name                     

 1 Corey Castillo       1:0    Shreyas Chandra Marrivada
 2 Rizwan Arshed        1:0    Aarin Micheal            
 3 Sanvi Shambharkar    1:0    Abhiram Ganja  

Exceptional Elite Stormont - Standings

Place Name                      Score

 1-2  Rizwan Arshed             4    
      Corey Castillo            4    
  3   Aarin Micheal             3    
  4   Shreyas Chandra Marrivada 2    
 5-6  Abhiram Ganja             1    
      Sanvi Shambharkar         1   

As part of the prize giving we had Principals, Teachers, Founder of the Tournament Graham Murphy and Ulster Chess Union President Martin Thompson form a line of honour.. The pupils on recieving their trophies and certificates then went down the line of honour shaking hands with the teachers who congratulated them.

We had representatives from most of the schools of the pupils - its brilliant to see the schools supporting their pupils:

John McCloskey (St Brides PS), Clare Stewart (Moira PS), Sophie Young (Harmony Hill PS), Graham Bennett (Newtownards Model PS), Mr Corbett (Gilnahirk PS),

Michael Johnston (Methodist College) Simon Cardwell (Royal School Armagh), Dermot Madine (St. Mary’s PS Belfast).

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Primary 2026

4 players all-play-all:

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Standings

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Standings

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Standings

Once the tournaments had completed the results were recorded and certificates organised.

Naomi Long MLA our host arrived and chatted to the youngsters about their love of the game and wether it was important to them to play or to win! Naomi enjoyed the various answers some liked to play. some to win and some both.

After a full year of monthly chess competitions held at Methodist College we have winners of our Grandprix system. The system works on the top 3 scores over the 5 Childrens Chess tournaments.

Grandprix: points – Players positions in their section are taken. Their best 3 grand-prix scores over the 5 tournaments are added together.

We have 3 age group sections and 2 puzzles sections.

James Fairley Shield: Primary School Championship

William McGrattin Shield: Lower Secondary School Championship ( Form1 to Form 3)

Damien Lavery Shield: Upper Secondary School Championship ( Form 4 and above)

Edward Whiteside Shield: Primary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion

Fergus O’Neill Shield: Secondary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion

There are also 2 shields one for younger players who havent won a prize but have played exceptionally well during the year. The other for players who do exceptionally well at tournaments outside of our series of tournaments, playing in the league, in other tournaments and if they represent Ireland.

The Belfast Scholastic Henderson and Dawson Shield.Exceptional Young Chess Player

The Belfast Scholastic Top Young Player (League/Other Competitions/Overseas Representation)

The final positions over the year:

The Belfast Scholastic James Fairley Shield. Primary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic William McGrattin Shield. Lower Secondary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Damien Lavery 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

The Belfast Scholastic Top Young Player (League/Other Competitions/Overseas Representation)

The Belfast Scholastic Henderson and Dawson Shield.Exceptional Young Chess Player

Noami Long MLA end of Event Speech Noami recognised the childen for their talent the parents and teachers for their support of the youngsters. The benefits of chess for planning/strategy and allowing people to move away from impulsive behavour. The game was being used in local prisions in a very positive way. Naomi wish players well in their chess and to possibly see them here again next year. A big thankyou to Noami Long MLA for hosting our event.