Development and progress of junior chess continues well in the Bournemouth area

The weekly library sessions take a central role and have in the region of 25 juniors who come along and play every week. Each one of these are turning into chess players with the standard rising all the time. This includes complete beginners and novices who are playing games within a short time, this is really encouraging and it is where the main focus of junior chesss coaching is concentrated.

We have 3/4 coaches supporting this session every Saturday and recently have seen the added support of Bryan Lose a maths teacher from Highcliffe comprehensive senior school.

The 2017 inter school challenge has taken place now with the successful and enjoyable final played at the end of April.

In summary there were 6 primary teams who played a in a league with the top two reaching the final.

The winners were for the second year running were Baden-Powell beating the Library team. The level of play was excellent and they were worthy winners.

In the senior section there were 4 school teams who played in a league to reach the final. Bournemouth Grammar A team beating a strong Highcliffe team. Again the standard was very high and all games were played in a competitive and enjoyable spirit, Alan Dommett came along kindly to make the presentation. In total 210 games of chess in total were played in this completion.

Most of the schools have written and thanked all for running the competition.

Details of the event with pictures of the final teams and scores are on the dorset web site under the junior section.

Other coaching

Chess clubs are being run at several schools:  Lytchett Minster, Highcliffe Comprehensive, Bournemouth Grammar, Poole Grammar, Baden-Powell, Talbot House, Ferndown Middle School. We do try and support these clubs and visit as much as possible. Where there is teacher support it helps but does not guarantee progress and it is in this area if we had more dedicated coaching this would help bring existing players along and encourage new ones to join.

We have continued to see juniors joining our adult league clubs and this is encouraging but if we had more drive at senior schools this could really help.

If anyone present today or any club players from our clubs would like to either come along to coach and or support the library sessions this would be welcome.

I would like to thank as always, Paul Errington, Ian Clark, Steve Bailey and Gabor Horzath supporting the Saturday sessions and junior chess.

Eric Sachs