Team Chess Challenge

[Neill Cooper]

A new secondary school chess tournament is starting this Autumn, with afternoon regional finals at 10 schools and the winners each qualifying for a place at the National Final at Imperial College in April 2014.

For more information see http://www.teamchesschallenge.org.uk/

[Neill Cooper]

First Regional Final results:
Nottingham High School won the East Midland Final
Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall won the West Midlands Final

[Neill Cooper]

Eleven Regional finals of Team Chess Challenge have now taken place around the country. 2 Schools have taken part so far, with a total of 320 players. Most regional finals had 4 or more schools taking part.
The eleven school who have so far qualified for the National Final are:
Nottingham High School, East Midland winners;
Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, West Midlands winners;
Etham College, South London Winners;
Vandyke Upper School, South Midlands winners;
Manchester GS, North West winners;
QE Barnet, Kent winners;
Magdelen College School, Oxford winners;
Hampton School, West London winners;
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, South West winners;
University College School, North London winners;
RGS Newcastle, North East winners.

The final place will be taken by the winners of the repecharge final at Eton College on Thursday March 20th.
http://www.teamchesschallenge.org.uk/

[Neill Cooper]

Team Chess Challenge http://www.teamchesschallenge.org.uk/
National Final Wednesday 23rd April 2014
Maths Department, Imperial College, London
Organiser: Neill Cooper [email protected]

Includes: Grandmaster Challenge with British Chess Champion David Howell.
He will play simultaneously against all the school teams, playing with chess clocks (30 minutes each)

6 rounds of play at 10 mins + 2 secs per move

Schools taking part:
Eltham College, Kent
Hampton School, West London
Magdelen College School, Oxford
Manchester Grammar School
Nottingham High School
QE Barnet, Herts
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, Bristol
Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall
RGS Newcastle
University College School, North London
Wilson’s School, Wallington

Thanks to our financial supporters Quintessa Ltd http://www.quintessa.org/ and Castles Chess Club.

For child protection reasons any visitors need to contact the organiser in advance to arrange a security pass.

[Neill Cooper]

Congratulations to Manchester Grammar School winners of the inaugural Team Chess Challenge. Final results:

Manchester Grammar School 21/24
Wilson's School 15
Eltham College 15
Hampton School 14
Nottingham High School 12.5
RGS Newcastle 12
Queen Elizabeth Boys School, Barnet 11.5
Magdalen College School 11.5
Queen Mary's GS, Walsall 10
University College School, London 9
Reserves 7
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol 5.5

The final was preceded by an impressive simultaneous display by British Champion David Howell who played against 10 of the schools in clock rapidplay of 30 minutes each on the clock. Despite the very tough time constraint this placed on him David won 9 and drew 1 of his 10 games.

Thanks to many who helped on the day, in particular to Imperial College Maths Department who provided a wonderful venue.
Team Chess Challenge will run again next year. To register your interest please go to http://www.teamchesschallenge.org.uk/

[Neill Cooper]

Feedback from today's event:

Just a big thanks for all your efforts in arranging today's competition.
Judging by the multiple discussion points on the way home, the boys had a great time. I agree that this format works well.

Many thanks for an excellent day today and for all your efforts in putting the competition together.
The boys were really positive about it during our (somewhat protracted) journey home.
A really positive innovation which I'm sure will take off.

Thankyou for a great event today, the boys thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great central location, very well organised and good competitive chess.
Regards and thanks again for an excellent event.

[John Swain]

A brilliant experience today! Very many thanks to Neill for creating the tournament and to his team of organisers and sponsors, including Jon Mestel and Imperial for the venue and hospitality, Chris Howell as Arbiter, those who provided the equipment and not least to David Howell for starting the day with a bang with his very impressive clock simul.

All the players seemed to be enjoying themselves. Ten minutes on the clock and two seconds a move has a lot to recommend it!

Congratulations to Manchester GS. who were worthy winners.

[John Upham]

Photographs from the Team Chess Challenge (including 3 GMs, 1 IM and two World Champions) may be found at

http://johnupham.smugmug.com/Chess/Seco ... ool-Events

[Neill Cooper]

A report of the Team Chess Challenge National Final is now on the ECF home page and I am already getting new entries!