Stormont a perfect location to celebrate chess talent

Kieran McCarthy MLA welcomed us to the Long Gallery in Stormont and praised the students for their chess skills. This was followed by an excellent tour of the building. Visiting both chambers and listening to an entertaining history of the building and its architecture. Its not everyday that you sit in a chair and told thats where the first minister sits!

Returning back to the Long Gallery for coffee, chat and most importantly chess.

We run 3 tournaments 4 player all-play-alls 15mins each player. The Stormont Elite tournament. The players are selected from the top players in the Childrens Chess series of tournaments. A Grand-prix points system is applied to each of the monthly tournaments and the top 4 children in the 4 categories: Primary, Lower Secondary (Form1-Form3), Upper Secondary (Form4 and above) and puzzle solving. You have to be good to get through this gruelings entry requirement.

The results of this years Grand-prix. The winners of each group recieve a perpetual shield for their school and a small trophy and certificate to keep.

The top youngest player is awarded the exceptional young player award. Usually this is given to a youngster who hasnt achieved the top4. But this year the 2nd place student Calvin Patterson is only P2 and so very deservedly wins this trophy.

The Belfast Scholastic Shield. Exceptional Young Player

Peter Todd won the Primary Shield with full points having played 4 tournaments without loosing a game. An incredible result.

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.Primary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.Lower Secondary Chess Champion

The Belfast Scholastic Shield.Upper 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 Chess competition took 30mins per round. All of them didnt go according to expectation. Phoebe Patterson winning the Primary Elite title, Hannah Patterson winning the lower school Elite title and joint holders Eoin McCorkindale and Andrew Todd of the Upper Secondary Elite title. Some exciting chess in a beautiful setting.

Final positions:

Stormont Elite Chess Tournament 2014

Primary Championships

Secondary F1-F3 Championships

Senior Secondary Championships

With the competition over it was time for the Award ceremony. The Principals, teachers and Home Education representative formed a line of honor. The awards were given by UCU President Geoff Hindley and Ulster Schools Chess Council President Dr Graham Murphy. Each Student receiving their prize and walking down the line of honor shaking hands and being congratulated.

Mark Newman thanked Kieran McCarthy MLA for being our host and enabling such a brilliant event to happen in such a beautiful location. Thanks were also given to the volunteers, Methodist College, the Parents and most importantly the young chess players...

Get those chess sets out and practice - See you next year