The 2025 Dorset Junior Chess Championships were organised by Dorset County Chess Association
Reflecting the continuing high levels of junior chess participation across Dorset, 62 junior chess players registered for the 2025 Dorset Junior Chess Championships on Sunday 9th March. In the event there were a couple of withdrawals but almost 60 juniors, largely from Dorset plus a few from further afield including Torquay, turned out on a sunny spring like day to play 7 rounds of chess against others of a similar age.
All were eager and raring to go. It was very exciting to see so many enthusiastic young chess players ready to compete for the trophies.
The Championships returned to Bournemouth School for Girls this year, last used in 2020 just before Covid, and what a fantastic venue it was.
Players were divided into three sections by age groups, with the U8 to U10 players in the first section, U11 to U13 in the next, and U14 and above in the third. Across each of the age groups there was a wide range of experience and abilities.
The U14 and above section included many of the top local juniors with ratings around 2000 and above: the standard of chess played was truly exceptional.
Each round was carefully watched over by the team of arbiters. Thank you all for your help, patience and expertise.
Throughout the day the fantastic canteen crew of Rachel, Jack, Leah and Pooja worked hard providing hot and cold beverages and biscuits, and at lunchtime copious amounts of pizza, sausage rolls, and cake were consumed.
Round 7 saw the leading players in each section hoping they could achieve perfect score of 7 out of 7. In the U8 to U10 section, it was Nathanial Pua.
In the U11 to U13 section, Karla Venter, playing for the first time in these Championships, was on full score.
In the U14 and above section, the scores were tight. Finn Schell could win the section, but Anuhas Gamage and Zander Booth were close behind him. In the event, there was a three-way tie for the Championship with each of them on 5.5 points.
Age group prize winners
With age group trophies and medals from U8 to U18, there were lots of happy prize winners.
U8 to U10 section winners
From Left – U8 – Anish Iyengar, U9 – Kavinmithran Anand, U10- Nathanial Pua
U11 to U13 Section Winners
From Left – U11 – Illia Vladyka, U12 – Rafan Chowdhury, U13 – Karla Venter
U14 to U18 Section Winners
From Left – U14 – Zander Booth, U16 – Anuhas Gamage, U18 – Finn Schell
