Stormont 2015
The top Children were invited to Stormont on Friday 5th June. How did they get invited to this prestigious event? Over the year the Ulster Chess Union and Ulster Schools Chess Council have run a series of Saturday tournaments. For each of these the players are allocated points depending on their overall position and the best 3 scores for the year add added together and the 4 players with the highest values get invited to Stormont. The years tournaments are open to all children from as young as P2 to Sixth Form. The series has been running for some 13 years. It was started as an opportunity for Children to meet and play chess, additionally it was an opportunity for primary youngsters who perhaps didn't have a chess club at school to play competitive chess.
Who were the top winners for the year?
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.
Exceptional Young Player 2015
This is awarded to the most promising young player(s). This year saw a new comer Andrew Graham who only at P2 played brilliantly and is definitely someone to watch. Last years winner of this Calvin Patterson only P3 won the Primary Competition outright and therefore shares this title with Andrew.
| Name | Year | School |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Graham | P2 | Comber PS |
| Calvin Patterson | P3 | Home Educated |
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.
Primary Chess Champion
|
|
Name |
Year |
School |
Score |
|
1st |
Calvin Patterson |
P3 |
Home Educated |
30 |
|
2nd |
Pheobe Patterson |
P5 |
Home Educated |
28 |
|
3rd |
Heidi Dawson |
P7 |
Maralin Village PS |
16 |
|
4th |
Calum Glendinning |
P6 |
Rudolf Steiner |
15.5 |
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.
Lower Secondary Chess Champion
|
|
Name |
Year |
School |
Score |
|
1st |
Peter Todd |
F1 |
Bangor Grammar |
30 |
|
2nd |
Samuel Todd |
F3 |
Bangor Grammar |
27 |
|
3rd |
Hannah Patterson |
F3 |
Home Educated |
20.5 |
|
4th |
Raghav Gupta |
F3 |
Banbridge Academy |
19 |
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.
Senior Secondary Chess Champion
|
|
Name |
Year |
School |
Score |
|
1st |
Eoin McCorkindale |
F5 |
Ballymena Academy |
29 |
|
2nd |
John Dawson |
L6 |
Friends School |
28 |
|
3rd |
Andrew Todd |
L6 |
Bangor Grammar |
26 |
|
4th |
Jake Patterson |
F5 |
Home Educated |
19.5 |
The Belfast Scholastic Edward Whiteside Shield.
Primary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion
|
|
Name |
Year |
School |
Score |
|
1st |
Pheobe Patterson |
P6 |
Home Educated |
30 |
|
2nd |
Calvin Patterson |
P3 |
Home Educated |
22 |
|
3rd |
Leon Geraghty |
P6 |
Rudolf Steiner |
17.5 |
|
4th |
Fiachra Avery |
P6 |
Home Educated |
16 |
|
4th |
Heidi Dawson |
P7 |
Maralin Village PS |
16 |
The Belfast Scholastic Fergus O’Neill Shield.
Secondary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion
|
|
Name |
Year |
School |
Score |
|
1st |
Andrew Todd |
L6 |
Bangor Grammar |
28 |
|
2nd |
Eoin McCorkindale |
F5 |
Ballymena Academy |
24 |
|
3rd |
John Dawson |
L6 |
Friends School |
22.5 |
|
4th |
Samuel Todd |
F3 |
Bangor Grammar |
20 |
The day started with a warm welcome from MLA Kieran McCarthy to the youngsters, parents and Principals. Proceeded by a fascinating tour of Stormont. The group returning to the Long Room where refreshments were served and the youngsters played in the Stormont Elite Competition. Playing chess in such a beautiful and historic building.
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|---|
The results of the Stormont Elite:
Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Primary 2015
| Position | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Pheobe Patterson | 3 |
| 2nd | Andrew Graham | 1 |
| 2nd | Heidi Dawson | 1 |
| 2nd | Calum Glendinning | 1 |
 |  |
|---|
Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Lower
| Position | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Peter Todd | 3 |
| 2nd | Hannah Patterson | 2 |
| 3rd | Samuel Todd | 1 |
 |  |
|---|
Stormont Elite Chess Tournament – Secondary Upper
| Position | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Eoin McCorkindale | 3 |
| 2nd | Andrew Todd | 2 |
| 3rd | Jake Patterson | 1 |
| 4th | John Dawson | 0 |
 |  |
|---|
After three rounds of tough chess. Kiran McCarthy MLA handed out the trophies and certificates. Everyone recieved a trophy and certicates. The Principals, Volunteers, Founders formed a line of honor along which the award winners shook hands and recieved praise.
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Thanks go to MLA Kiran McCarthy for inviting us to Stormont. To the volunteers who throughout the year make these events possible and enjoyable. The youngsters for their chess talent and creating such a good, friendly atmosphere at the Saturday tournaments. The Parents for their support and encouragement over the year. See you all next year.... The next event is the Summer School on August 5th/6th/7th.
