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Primary School Chess Congress 2002

The Annual Worcestershire Primary Junior Championships were held at Lyppard Community Centre, Worcester on Saturday, 19 October 2002. A total of 28 children from 10 Worcestershire Primary Schools took part in this event organised for the 6th year running by Arnold Kirkland (Droitwich Chess Club). Arnold was ably assisted by Steve Mellor (Worcester City Chess Club) and parents. Two age group tournaments were run, Primary 3 & 4, and Primary 5 & 6 each with 6 rounds. The superb Lyppard Community Centre venue allowed spectators and parents to see moves of all 156 games. In the closing ceremony, prizes were distributed by Dr Ray Collett, President of Worcestershire Chess Association.

Nine children played in the Primary 3 & 4 tournament. In this 6 round open competition, Imran Zaman came first with 6 points winning all of his games. Imran attends Perdiswell Primary School, Worcester and is one of the youngest players ever to have represented Worcester City in a senior league competition. Imran takes home the Worcestershire Primary 3-4 Medallion. Second on 5 points was Joe Foulds from the strong Malvern Parish School Chess Club. Two school mates, Jack Capel-Shyu, and Emilia Payne, both from Holy Redeemer Primary School, Pershore were placed 3rd equal on 4 points. Emilia's trademark play was early development of the rooks, but this distinctive manoeuvre was insufficient against the strongest players. Other results in this tournament were: Sally Caldicott 3 points; Eloise Stewart (Cherry Orchard School) 2½ points; Jamie McKenzie and Max Howie (Northleigh School, Malvern); and Miro van Rosenberg 1½ points.

There were 19 entries in the Primary 5 & 6 tournament. Peter Brankin from St. Joseph's School, Malvern dominated the competition coming first on 6 points. Peter had a clean sheet of wins and finished a point and a half ahead of second placed Jenny White (Malvern Parish CE School). The crunch game was in round 5 when he won against Jenny. Peter takes home the Worcestershire Primary 5 & 6 shield. Four players shared 4 points and were placed third equal: Daniel Mason (Burlish Middle School, Stourport); Daniel Waller (Bredon Hill Middle School); and Joseph Taylor and Rory Harrison (both Holy Redeemer School, Pershore). Other results were: Tom McKenzie (Northleigh School, Malvern), George Dickinson (Bredon Hill Middle School), George Macklin, Lee Palmer (St Georges School, Worcester), Elizabeth Gorton (Malvern Parish CE School), Sam Coates (Madresfield School all on 3 points); Mark Dickinson (Holy Redeemer School, Pershore), David Blanshard and Samuel Cooksey (both St. Georges School, Worcester) on 2½ points; Joathan Howie (Northleigh School, Malvern) 2 points; and Harry Scholefield (Northleigh School, Malvern) and Sophia Haywood 1½ points.