Chess at Stormont 2009

It is difficult to win a section of any of the Childrens chess tournaments but to come within the top 4 of the Grandprix over the season of 6 tournaments is a Brilliant achievement.

Kevin Robbin won the Belfast Scholastic Shield Primary School Championship for the second year running.

Karina Kruk started late in the season but consistently scored brilliantly to win the Belfast Scholasic Shield Lower Secondary School Championship.

Ben Buchanan one of the youngest  players a P3 from Greenisland Primary School won the Exceptional Young Player of 2009.

Some sixty people were invited to the event hosted by Green MLA Brian Wilson. The 13 children recieving awards their parents and school representatives, volunteers who helped throughout the year and the Founders of the Childrens Chess Tournaments - Graham Murphy (Chairman of Ulster Schools Chess Council), David McAlister (Chairman of Ulster Chess Union) and Mark Newman.

The event consisted of a tour of Stormont followed by the Stormont Elite Chess Competitions where each group played an all play all 3 round tournament. This was followed by an award ceremony.

Belfast Scholastic Shield

Primary School Championship

Belfast Scholastic Shield

Secondary School Championship

We opened the Championships to forms 4 to 6 to include all years in secondary school but unfortunately numbers were lower than expected so we invited players who played this year and from previous years to represent this age group.

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.

Senior School Chess Representatives

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament - Primary

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper

Thanks to the volunteers who helped throughout the year and without whom the Childrens Chess Tournaments wouldnt be possible - Dr Grahame Murphy, Geoff Hindley, Stewart McConaghy, Dr Rahul Gupta and Dr Nidhi Gupta, Stella Newman.