NYCA Championships 2003-2004U15 Championship - 8 Nov 2003U13 Championship - 27 Sept 2003Sussex are NYCA under 13 champions (27 Sep 03)Sussex have won National Youth Chess Association under 13 title. Sussex Win NYCA Under 15 Championship (8 Nov)
Round 1 began with three of our players waiting for their opponents to turn up. Heavy traffic caused the Oldham and Lancashire teams to arrive late, giving Adam Prescott, Joe Fraser and Elliot Kafetz an eventual 35-40 minute time advantage on their clocks. Wins by James Guiney, Tristan Blundell, Jonathan Paley and Joe Richardson set us off on a good start and by the end of round 1, Sussex had scored 10 ½ points putting them in second place. Richmond, having dropped only one point to Andrew Tucker on board 4, were in the lead. Kent were in 3rd place with 7 ½ points, Daniel Khoo having taken a point from Lyall Bayliss on board 7. Hoping to find that winning formula for success, chocolate rewards were dutifully handed out to those players that secured a win. The second round started well with Joe Fraser winning his game in less than 15 minutes. A succession of wins showed that the players were focussed and taking on the challenge. Despite battling hard, Robin Jones was unable to take a vital point off his Richmond opponent. We finished on 10 points and once again Richmond scored ½ point more than we did, leaving us to start the 3rd and final round with a full point disadvantage. Kent scored 8 ½ points remaining in 3rd place. A ‘team talk’ followed and, realising what they had to do, the players made their way to their places for the final round. As each player finished and points began to mount, word spread that Richmond had lost a game and we were now on level ground. James Guiney eventually took a draw offered by his Richmond opponent, ensuring that he did not give anything away and Neil Carter succeeded in taking a point from Kent, ensuring that they did not close the gap. Richmond dropped another point and as each Sussex player recorded a win, hopes were raised and tensions tightened. With only Adam Prescott and Grant Bucher still playing, the team knew that one win would level the match and anything more would secure the title. Grant gave us the score we hoped for and as a small crowd of Sussex players gathered around Adam, every move he made was analysed. A queen, for a rook and pawn up, Adam played steadily, out playing his opponent who was eventually told by his team manager to resign. 11 ½ points out of 12 and victory was ours. Once again, Sussex showed that strength and depth in players and a good team spirit were enough to succeed. Congratulations must go to all of the players for their determination, their unfailing good behaviour and the support that they showed for each other. Well done! Anne-Marie Prescott (Team Manager) PS. Rumour has it that two Kent players were rewarded with chocolate bars for securing points off Richmond. I could not possibly comment! Individual Scores
Team Scores
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Eleven teams took part in the NYCA U15 Championships on Saturday 8th November 2003 and a team of 12 players took Sussex to victory.