SCCU U14/U140 ChampionshipThis grade-limited competition, run by the Southern Counties Chess Union, was formerly known as the "U14/U90". The grading limit has increased to 140 this season to reflect the recalculation of junior grades which took effect in September. There are 12 players per side plus reserve boards. Each player plays 2 games and the time limit is 1 hour each. This year we have been drawn in the ‘West’ group with Surrey and Hampshire. We will play both counties twice – once at home and once away. Should we win our group we would go on to play a final against the winners of the ‘East’ group (Kent, Essex and Herts). Match 4 - Away vs. Surrey - 6th March 2010On Saturday 6th March, the Sussex Junior Chess U14 / U140 team travelled to Richmond to face Surrey in the last game of the season. Surrey had already won the group having won their previous 3 matches and we knew it was going to be tough especially as we were missing some players at the top of the board order. Despite a great effort from the team we went down 17-7. The Team: Arran Airlie, Morgan Blake, Robin Fells, Robin Ferguson, Arthur Graham, Stephen Kennedy, Jared North, Isobel O'Nunain, Katie O'Nunain, Rachel O'Nunain, Luke Pannett, Josh Ralph, Bart Rayson, Ollie Willson Richmond proved to be a good venue – excellent playing conditions and we were well looked after by our hosts. The Richmond Junior Chess club had kindly invited the Sussex players to compete in their blitz tournament in the morning, and several of our players took up the opportunity. This was great fun - 5 rounds of 10 mins per player and some decent prize money - and superbly run by Peter Sowray and his team.
Robin Ferguson, Stephen Kennedy and Morgan Blake came = 4th with 3 points. Another highlight of Richmond was the local shopping parade where, much to the delight of the coach, there was a real ale shop. On to the match itself - the exchange of team sheets confirmed my worst fears with Surrey fielding players with ratings of 90+ on the reserve boards! On paper, it looked like Surrey should win by 18-6 or more but some terrific performances meant we got a very reasonable score given the rating differences – some brilliant chess from Arthur, Morgan and Isobel meant they came through undefeated and pick up 5 points between them. The other O’Nunain sisters were terrific too – Katie won a great game in round 1 and Rachel made light of a 90 point (!) rating deficit to win with a crushing attack in round 2. Bart and Stephen have been improving all season and claimed a win and a draw against far stronger opposition – we could have claimed a win on time for Stephen but, in keeping with the spirit in which Sussex play, we offered a draw. Luke Pannett made a very creditable debut for the team and gave his opponents real problems. Great credit also to Josh who found himself catapulted up the board order and took his opponents the full distance. Like Josh, Ollie put in best part of 4 hours hard work and was unlucky to come away unrewarded. The two Robins, Jared and Aaran battled hard too but ultimately were undone by much higher rated and more experienced opponents. Big thanks to Peter Sowray and his team who made us so welcome. I would like to say a big thanks to parents and players who have supported the team so well this season – I hate to think how many miles some of you have covered, particularly those based in the Eastbourne / Bexhill / Hastings area – I hope you and your children have enjoyed the games. Unfortunately we have to say goodbye to some of our senior players who will be too old to compete next season – Freddie, Iona, Morgan, Robin Fells and Stephen – big thanks to you all but watch out - one of my suggestions for next season to the organisers will be to raise the age limit so, who knows, you may not have escaped just yet! It would be great to hear from players and parents their thoughts on the competition – feedback is welcomed, good and bad. Match 3 - Home vs. Hampshire - 6th February 2010On Saturday 6th February, the Sussex Junior Chess under 14 / grade under 140 team hosted Hampshire at Aldrington C of E school. After a morning coaching the under 9s it was all a bit frantic but, as usual, several Sussex parents (and younger siblings!) were on hand to set out boards, pieces, clocks, etc. and everything was ready for the 2.30 start – big thanks to Mike, Iain, Breagh, Sue and the usual stalwart Sussex committee members. Thanks also to Francis who found himself evicted (twice!) from his training areas. Hampshire (a.k.a. Winchester College) came with a very strong side and after a close first round where we were just edged out 6.5 - 5.5, we lost the second round 10 – 2. The final score of 16.5 to 7.5 looks very one-sided but does not tell the full story. Hannah, Robin and Alfie all played really well in round 2 and built-up winning positions but just couldn’t finish off the good work; it was one of those days. With a player with an estimated grade of 155 on top board, Hampshire clearly meant business but we played a great first round – wins from Ollie, Morgan, Arthur, Josh and Harriet were backed-up by a draw from Toby. It was great to see Alfie back on the scene and he and Stephen played really well to win the reserve boards. In round 2 Hampshire were ruthless but Freddie notched-up a win with one of his trademark attacking games to ensure we came away with something. Congratulations to Josh and Arthur who got draws and so came through the day unbeaten. I would like to say a big thanks to parents and players who have supported the team so well this season – let’s see if we can beat Surrey in the remaining game on March 6th. Most of our team are under 13 and this is all good experience for next year. Whilst we lost the game, we did a superb hosting job and the Winchester boys happily worked their way through sandwiches, biscuits and then the left-overs from the training day. Maybe this is where we are going wrong ? (says the manager desperately searching for excuses). It was a long day and 6.30 before we finally cleared-up. Still, I went home knowing I had the Six-Nations Rugby on tape and no-one had let slip the result. By 8pm, I had food ready, beer open, was sat in my favourite arm chair, remote control in hand … only to find something had gone wrong with the recording (much to the amusement of Cassie). It really was one of those days ! Thanks to the team: Morgan Blake, Alfie Brand, Robin Fells, Arthur Graham, Toby Harris, Freddie Keen, Stephen Kennedy, Jared North, Josh Ralph, Iona Rose, Daniel Sutton, Harriet Tomlin, Hannah Watkinson, Ollie Willson. Thanks also to Hampshire for transporting Freddie for us; and many thanks to Freddie for remaining loyal to Sussex, effectively having to compete against his schoolmates. Report by Dave Graham Match 2 - Away vs. Hampshire - 5th November 2009On Saturday 5th December, the Under 14s set off from all parts of Sussex to Winchester – for those from Hastings this is best part of a 250 mile round trip and shows the fantastic dedication of parents (and children) to the cause. We played in the splendid surroundings of Winchester College and were pitted against the best of the college chess team. Fortunately for us, one of the Winchester boys stayed loyal to his home county and played for Sussex – thanks very much Freddie – and this ensured an even match-up. Unfortunately we were edged out by the closest of margins – 12.5 to 11.5 – and the manager still awaits his first victory (I think Messrs Tuck and Norton are prepared to give him the rest of the season to improve and he has not yet been given the dreaded vote of confidence by the Chairman!). The first round saw some wildly fluctuating games and the manager’s hair was going greyer by the minute. There was a superb attacking game by Freddie, a rock solid performance by Ollie and another super swindle from Toby who just never gives up. Josh Ralph and Stephen Kennedy played really well to record victories on their debuts. Morgan showed fine technique to hold a lost endgame, and Iona nearly converted a difficult opposite coloured Bishop ending. Despite strenuous efforts elsewhere, we lost the round 7-5 (splitting the reserve boards 1-1) but I was confident we could turn things around. Round 2 came and went in a flash – it looked all up for us after just 15 minutes with Arran, Harriet and Jared all in lost positions but, incredibly, one by one they turned their games around to win and after about 30 minutes the sides were level pegging at 8-8. Arthur managed to trap his opponent’s queen – this was quite a feat as, in typical Arthur fashion, none of his pieces had crossed into the other half of the board. Unfortunately, the powerhouse Winchester middle order was making its presence felt and despite a draw from Ollie, a fine win from Morgan and another Toby special we could only manage to win the round 6.5 to 5.5. There followed a torrid drive home in the torrential rain on wet, dangerous roads – scant reward for our hard work – but I really enjoyed the day out and the match, I hope the children did too and that Mandi made it in time for her Xmas party. Feedback on the day, good and bad, is always welcome. A big thanks to all the team for their efforts, in particular Harriet who stepped in at short notice – I’ll be in touch soon about the games to be played after Christmas. An even bigger thanks to the parents for their commitment; particularly Gary, Sharon, Iain and Mandi who resolved the transport difficulties, and Isobel whose detailed directions ensured we didn't spend the day in the Winchester one-way system. The Team: Dave Graham. Match 1 - Home vs. Surrey - 7th November 2009
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Arthur managed to come equal first by using every trick in the blitz rule book – 2 of his opponents lost because they made an illegal move, and another ran out of time as he delivered check mate! 
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This is a fascinating, educational endgame:
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