Chris Lyttle invites top youngsters to Stormont Chess Award Ceremony

Having played over the year in the monthly Chess tournaments at Methodist college the top young players were invited to an award ceremony- jointly organised by The Ulster Schools Chess Council and Ulster Chess Union. The year ends with the Stormont Award Ceremony and Stormont Elite Chess Competition. This year kindly sponsored by Chris Lyttle MLA who welcomed the parents, children and Principals, recognising the talent and skills in chess that the youngsters showed to get here and the support from their parents, teachers and the work done by the volunteers running the tournaments. Chris felt that Chess was a brilliant logical game with planning and decision making all built into what is a fun game.

After Chris' welcome speach we held round 1 of the Elite competition. With 5 primary youngsters this section had 5 rounds of all-play-all whilst the other two sections had 3 rounds of all play all - so the primary section only got 10mins each on their clocks as opposed to the usual 15mins.

Round 1

Primary

Lower Secondary

Upper Secondary

After the first round the group went on a tour of the Stormont Buildings

This started in the main entrance hall where we saw the elegant chandeliers and the Greek columns  whilst listening to the fascinating history of the building.

We were then taken into the debating chamber and more fascinating information on the building. Unfortunately the children had to leave prior to the end of the tour to continue with the competition. The parents, principals and teachers remained enjoying the tour. Many thanks to Stormont events for providing such an excellent tour.

Primary Round 2

Primary Round 3

Primary Round 4

Lower Secondary Round 2

Upper Secondary Round 2

Primary Round 5

Lower Secondary Round 3

Upper Secondary Round 3

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the final results of the Stormont Elite tournament:

Primary Section

Lower Secondary Section

Upper Secondary Section

Following the tournament there was the award ceremony. Chris Lyttle MLA gave out the prizes.and the youngsters had a line of honour made up of the Principals and Teachers - Mr Knaggs (Downshire PS), Mrs Kerr (Forge Integrated PS), Mr McIlvenny and Mrs O'Loughlin (Rathmore Grammar), Mr Wilson (Bangor Grammar), Ulster Chess Union representative Ross Harris, the Competition founders: David McAlister and Dr Graham Murphy, who shook hands and congratulated each winner.

The awards are awarded according to the Grandprix points that are awarded over the year for each childrens chess tournament. The best 3 scores of each player are added. Players on equal points share the position. The awards are very difficult to achieve.

The Belfast Scholastic Shield - Primary Chess Champion : Dexter Harris  (Strandtown PS)

The Belfast Scholastic Shield - Lower Secondary Champion : Daniil Zelenchuk (Rathmore Grammar)

The Belfast Scholastic Shield - Upper Secondary Champions Joint: Eoin McCorkindale (Ballymena Academy), Jake Patterson (Home Educated)

The Belfast Scholastic Edward Whiteside Shield - Primary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion: Aaditya Singh (Forge Integrated PS)

The Belfast Scholastic Fergus O'Neill Shield - Secondary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion: Eoin McCorkindale (Ballymena Academy)

This year we had the good fortune to have a Shield added to the award of Exceptional Young Player.

Donated by Andrew Dawson - The Dawson and Henderson Shield - Exceptional Young Player. This year we award this prize to 5 well deserving players.

Thanks to all - Chris Lyttle MLA for inviting us to Stormont, the volunteers for enabling the series of tournaments leading up to this brilliant award ceremony, Parents, teachers and Principals and last but not least the brilliant young chess players.

The childrens chess has been going on since 2002 some 15 years - it was founded by Graham Murphy, David McAlister and Mark Newman - all present today - to enjoy the 15th year of such a brilliant series of tournaments. A warm applause was given to the founders.

Watch out for the youngsters who will be playing in the Giga-Finals of the Delancey UK Chess Challenge : https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/

we wish them well...