Sussex U14 and U18 Championships (26-27 June 2004)

The Sussex U14 and U18 Chess Championships took place in Uckfeld Community Technical College this weekend, drawing competitors from across the county and beyond.  Players as young as 8 played six games of chess over 2 days, each game lasting for up to 2 ½ hours.

Among the competitors were ten who have represented England at chess.  The children were competing for trophies as well as prizes of entry to the Ampleforth Junior Master tournament, a prestigious invitation only chess event held each November in Yorkshire.

After the first day, the youngest player, 8 year old Jude Lenier from Crowborough Chess Club was only ½ point behind the leader in the U14 event, having beaten a member of the England chess squad in the 3rd round.  However, he faced tough competition on the 2nd day to finish down the field. 

The U14 competition remained a tough battle until, in the final round, 3 players had possible victory.  The final was eventually won by Daniel Hunt from Surrey, with Rhys Cumming from Brighton College and Crowborough Chess Club  in 2nd place taking the Sussex U14 Champion title, just beating George Salimbeni from Great Walstead and Andrew Winchcombe from Berkshire.

In the U18 Championship, Joe Fraser from East Grinstead took the title ahead of Adam Prescott from Uckfield Community College and Andrew Tucker from Ditchling.