Dorset Junior Chess Championships 2026: 1st March 2026
Reflecting the high levels of junior chess interest across Dorset, 64 junior chess players, surpassing last year’s entries, registered for the 2026 Dorset Junior Chess Championships on Sunday 1st March with 62 arriving on the morning to play 7 rounds of chess against others of a similar age. And, impressively, around 25% of players were girls.
Despite the rather dull and damp weather, all were eager and raring to go and there was a buzz of excitement. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic young chess players, especially in the U8 and U9 age groups. Whilst there were many familiar faces, there were, equally, many first timers.
This year the Dorset Junior Chess Championships ventured out of the inner BCP conurbation to the beautiful Lytchett Matravers Village Hall with spectacular views across open space towards Poole Harbour. A truly Dorset venue.
Players were divided into three sections by age groups, with the U8 and U9 players in the first section, U10 to U13 in the next, and U14 and above in the third section. Numbers were equally spread across the groups, with a range of experience and abilities from relative beginners in the youngest section to some seasoned league players rated over 2000 in the top section. 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.
In the U8 and U9 section, the lead changed hands several times across the rounds with Anish Iyengar, Theodore Smith, Advik Dongre and Asrith Manikandan all featuring at the top. After 6 rounds, Advik and Asrith had marginal leads but were still mathematically catchable. In the event, both held their nerve and won the U8 and U9 respectively.
In the U10 to U13 section, Illia Vladyka (U12) had a half point lead from round 3, converting this to a full point lead by round 6. But several players were close behind and anyone could win the U10, U11 sections at that stage.
In the U14 to U18, Finn Schell was targeted as the player that everyone expected to win and everyone wanted to beat. A tough first round draw saw Finn up against Samual Gorsuch, who secured the win and gave everyone else a glimmer of hope. The players on board one in this section then rotated frequently and after 4 rounds Hugo had a marginal lead.
But then Finn proceeded to win all next 6 rounds bringing him to equal 6 points with Samuel Gorsuch. A tense tie break followed with rapid play and thinking from both. Many congratulations to Finn as the winner but well done too to Samuel.
Throughout the day the fantastic canteen crew of Rachel, Jack, Mark and Savanna worked hard providing endless free hot and cold beverages and biscuits, and at lunchtime copious amounts of pizza, sausage rolls, and cake were consumed. Many thanks to Mark for arranging sponsorship from Tesco in the form of several food packages.
Age group prize winners
With age group trophies and medals from U8 to U18, there were lots of happy prize winners.
U8 to U9 section winners
U8 – Advik Dongre, U9 – Asrith Manikandan
U10 to U13 section
U10 –Sophia Smith, U11 –Alfie Patrick, U12 – Illia Vladyka, U13 – Rafan Chowdhury,
U14 to U18 section
U14 – Leonardo Camopy & Aarav Swansh Mehta, U16 – Anuhas Gamage, U18 – Finn Schell & Samuel Gorsuch.
Dorset Junior Chess Champion – Finn Schell.
Full age group results
