We started with a visit from the Mayor & Mayoress of East Staffordshire who were much enthused by the dedication and sportsmanship on display. So much so that Reeya Ashok was awarded the Mayors badge due to showing excellent qualities teaching her opponent in the first round how to use the clock. It was great to hear the Mayor was in a chess club as a junior as well and so could relate to what pressures all these children were under. We thank them for supporting the event.
Chief Arbiter Matthew Carr led proceedings round to round with help from Chris Lewis (Shropshire), Stephen Luff & press liaison officer Peter Hornsby with many thanks for their hard work on ensuring a smooth tournament round to round. The venue of Abbots Bromley Village Hall was new to us and a welcome coincidence that we used it! Many commented on how the drive-in was pleasant and the hall was the perfect size for the tournament. We look forward to potentially coming back in the summer so the children can perhaps use some of the outside sports amenities on offer!
The participants mainly consisted of players from Staffordshire but we did have a sprinkling of players from outside increasing the difficulty level and enjoying getting some more practise in. For those at the younger age groups this was their first proper tournament and handling the pressure throughout a long day showed immense maturity all while following the rules of professional play. We might have sped up the last few rounds due to a certain football match being played that evening but all games were played with the ferocity that they should be. At the end of the day we can point to the success of experience gained, friends made and to a positive future for Staffordshire junior chess.
Staffordshire Junior Chess Champions 2022
Under 18 – Dylan Cooper (Newcastle-Under-Lyme)
Under 18 girl – Amrissa Johal (King Edward VI Handsworth School for girls)
Under 16 – Joe Conway-Lees (Stourbridge)
Under 14 – Tied 3 ways - Dylan Whitney (Potteries Junior CC), Stephen Gaskell (Rushall CC), Rahul Desai (Newcastle-Under-Lyme School)
Under 14 girls – Tara De Silva (Newcastle-Under-Lyme)
Under 12 – Tied 3 ways – Isaac Stanley (Alsager CC), Aaron Sohi (King Edward School, Birmingham), Karanveer Singh (Bloxwich CC)
Under 12 girl – Amraya Johal (King Edward VI Handsworth School for girls)
Under 11 – Ruya Kenz (Newcastle-Under-Lyme School)
Under 11 girls – Niharika Junenaath (Newcastle-Under-Lyme School)
Under 10 – Tied 2 ways: Advait Rajinikanth (Newcastle-Under-Lyme School) & Nikodem Boczek (Seabridge Primary)
Under 10 girls – Mia Goldstraw (Seabridge Primary)
Under 9 – Sehej Sohi (Mayfield Prep School)
Under 9 girls – Jasmine Abdulseed (Westlands Primary)
Under 8 – Reeya Ashok (Newcastle-Under-Lyme School)
Under 8 girls – Seeraht Kaur (Bloxwich CC)
Under 7 – Sawain Heenitigala Kanaththage (Potteries Junior CC)
Under 7 girls – Riley De Silva (Seabridge Primary)
*CC – Chess Club
Date & Venue: 4th December 2022, Abbots Bromley Village Hall
Organiser: Jonathan Blackburn
Chief Arbiter: Matthew Carr
Assisted by: Peter Hornsby, Chris Lewis & Stephen Luff
