Schools Competitions

SJC organise one of the largest competitions for Schools in the UK with over 40 Sussex Schools taking part annually.

The largest entry is in the Under 11 age group who compete for the Primary Cup. The competition begins in the Autumn term with Schools playing 2 or 3 other Schools on a broadly geographic basis. The outcome of these matches results in Schools being seeded into one of three divisions for the Spring Term. The highest place schools in each division are then invited to a Finals Day in the summer Term.

The secondary age group can enter teams at U14 (The Butler Cup), U16 (The Sadd Cup) and U18 (The Wilson Cup) age groups. There is also the Gammans-Renwick Cup for Girls Teams. Many of these trophies are very historic and more information on them and the benefactors can be found on our history pages.

SJC also support the UK's largest chess competition - the UK Chess Challenge - by running the Sussex Megafinal in April/May. Over 65,000 children enter this event Nationally, and around 350 children in Sussex qualify to take part.

If your School doesn't yet take part but would like to - Contact us.

Academy Schools Programme

The Academy Schools programme was initiated in 2010-11 with the aim of expanding chess playing amongst Sussex schools with a view of bringing youngsters from a local area and encouraging them to play chess, and to subsequently take part in the regular activities of SJC. 

The Chess Academy is a fantastic opportunity for school children in Sussex to learn in a fun and safe environment!  Fun, innovative and age appropriate coaching based on the fundamentals with mini tournaments and possible specialist sessions for older pupils. Groups are organised based on age, ability and experience.

Academy Directors, who are all fully CRB checked chess coaches with many years experience of working with juniors, have been appointed in Brighton & Hove, Burgess Hill, Crawley, Crowborough & Heathfield, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham, South-West Sussex and Uckfield.

Events take place each term, and reports are usually posted in our results section.

Our Academy Directors

Academy Schools Director Burgess Hill/Uckfield Brian Stockham	Academy Schools Director Crawley/Haywards Heath Bob Noyce
Academy Schools Director Horsham IM Chris Baker	Academy Schools Director Crowborough/Heathfield David Fryer
Academy Schools Director East Grinstead Gareth Anthony	Academy Schools Director South-West Sussex David Graham
Academy Schools Director Brighton & Hove FM Christopher Dunworth