Top youngsters play in Northern Ireland Mega-final

The Northern Ireland Mega-final is part of the very successful Delancy UK Chess Challenge. There are a series of tournaments that lead to the best players playing in the Giga-Finals and then the Tera-Finals. In the past we have had winners at the Giga-finals.

This year saw 28 youngsters set to see who could qualify for the next level in the tournament the Giga-Finals. Players could do this by winning their age group or score 4 or more out of 6 points. The format was six round swiss with the group split into 3 sections: U10's , U12's and U18's.

Calvin Patterson won outright the section without loosing a game. Being the youngest in the tournament this was a brilliant result. All the players gaining the Title Supremo/Suprema won a trophy and qualified for the Giga-finals.

Peter Todd from Kilmaine PS won the competition only dropping 1/2 a point. As well as age group winners including Cameron Brown and Molly Bailes we had 2 qualifiers with 4 points or more - Jack Martin and Kieran Martin.

Eoin McCorkindale has done well in all the competitions he's entered. Matthew Chapman is an excellent player and to come on joint points with him is no small feat. This was a strong section. All played very well.

The UK organisers will be sending entry details to winners/qualifiers very shortly.

During the day between rounds we were lucky to have Gareth Annesley do some informal coaching - talking through solving problems and a small game explaining the need for developing your pieces. This was done with the use of the school projector - making the talk more interactive and visual.

The day also saw a Chess puzzle competition. Thanks to volunteers Geoff Hindley, James Fairley and Gareth Annesley.

The prize giving at the end of the tournament saw Geoff Hindley (president of the Ulster Chess Union) award a prize to Gareth Annesley for the 2013 Summer tournament.

Children also play between rounds other interesting games that challenge the mind...