The Delancey UK Chess Challenge is the world’s largest chess competition and is a four stage event across five age groups, starting with the Megafinals, then the Gigafinals and finally on to the Terafinal, getting tougher with each round. Delancey, a specialist real estate investment company, has repeatedly sponsored the event.

The chess challenge is open to children resident in the United Kingdom up to the age of 18 years old. It welcomes players of all levels from beginners to National Champions and from all corners of the United Kingdom.

In 2020 when Covid-19 first disrupted the playing schedule, the UK Chess Challenge quickly moved from its usual over-the board tournament format to being entirely online in 2020. For 2021, the tournament will remain online.

In 2020, a magnificent seven Dorset juniors qualified for the Gigafinals, a really fantastic achievement. The Dorset Gigafinal qualifiers were Leo Camopy (U8), Larissa Cuthbert (U12), Max Teverson (Boys U8), Jack Baskett (U10), Harry Mercer (U10), Matthew Butcher (U10) and Florence Spirling (U12). In the Gigafinals, all played exceptionally well throughout the tournament and made Dorset Chess very proud of them with Larissa and Leo both qualifying for the Terafinal.

2021 Format

In 2021, for the first time all players are able to directly enter the Megafinals without requiring qualification from a school or local event.

Players should reserve their place by completing the Megafinal Waiting List 2021 which can be found using the following link

Megafinal Waiting List 2021 | Delancey UK Schools’ Chess Challenge

It really is a fantastic chess event and we encourage all junior players to take part!