2026 Dorset Junior Chess Championships!

Sunday 1st March 2026  – 10:30 to 17:00

Lytchett Matravers Village Hall
Vineyards Close, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6DF

Who should enter?

Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced player, all juniors in school years 2 to 13 inclusive from across BCP, Dorset and surrounding areas, are invited to take part.

To be eligible for the Dorset County trophies you must reside in or attend a school in Dorset, but players from areas or schools outside Dorset are welcome to compete for medals.

Format

Players will be grouped with juniors of the same or similar age.  In each group there will be 7 rounds.   The time control for each round will be 20 minutes/15 minutes with increments per player in one or two sections.

Championship trophies and medals will be awarded for the best performing U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U16 U18 with an overall Championship cup.

This is not a knockout competition, so you are guaranteed to play all rounds of chess against other junior chess players.

Timing

Doors open at 09:45  and we intend to have a prompt start by latest 10:30. Prize-giving will be at around 17:00 There will be a 20 minute lunch break.

Food, Drink and Facilities

• There will be free tea, coffee squash and biscuits all day.
• Snacks will be for sale at a notional cost.
• There will be plenty of space for parents in a separate area.
  
• Free WiFi is available.

Entrants to Date

Click HERE to see the entrants to date

Entry

The entry fee is just £8.

Entries will close the day before on 28th February at 10 am.  No entries or payment on the day please.

The following conditions of entry apply:

• Parents and guardians remain responsible for the welfare of their children.
• We may publish individual results and photographs taken at this event on the Dorset Chess website or in the Weekly Dorset Chess Newsletter and on other public chess forums.
• Entry using the form below constitutes acceptance of these conditions.