Kieran McCarthy MLA welcomed us to the Long Gallery in Stormont and praised the students for their chess skills. This was followed by an excellent tour of the building. Visiting both chambers and listening to an entertaining history of the building and its architecture. Its not everyday that you sit in a chair and told thats where the first minister sits!
Returning back to the Long Gallery for coffee, chat and most importantly chess.
We run 3 tournaments 4 player all-play-alls 15mins each player. The Stormont Elite tournament. The players are selected from the top players in the Childrens Chess series of tournaments. A Grand-prix points system is applied to each of the monthly tournaments and the top 4 children in the 4 categories: Primary, Lower Secondary (Form1-Form3), Upper Secondary (Form4 and above) and puzzle solving. You have to be good to get through this gruelings entry requirement.
The results of this years Grand-prix. The winners of each group recieve a perpetual shield for their school and a small trophy and certificate to keep.
The top youngest player is awarded the exceptional young player award. Usually this is given to a youngster who hasnt achieved the top4. But this year the 2nd place student Calvin Patterson is only P2 and so very deservedly wins this trophy.
The Belfast Scholastic Shield. Exceptional Young Player
Name
Year
School
Calvin Patterson
P2
Home Educated
Peter Todd won the Primary Shield with full points having played 4 tournaments without loosing a game. An incredible result.
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.Primary Chess Champion
Name
Year
School
Score
1st
Peter Todd
P7
Kilmaine PS
30
2nd
Calvin Patterson
P2
Home Educated
22
3rd
Phoebe Patterson
P5
Home Educated
19
3rd
Fiachra Avery
P5
Home Educated
19
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.Lower Secondary Chess Champion
Name
Year
School
Score
1st
Joel Dawson
F3
Friends School
28
2nd
Hannah Patterson
F2
Home Educated
22
3rd
Matthew Duffy
F1
Rathmore Grammar
18
4th
Cameron Brown
F1
Bangor Grammar
16.5
The Belfast Scholastic Shield.Upper Secondary Chess Champion
Name
Year
School
Score
1st
Kevin Robbin
F5
RBAI
27
2nd
Andrew Todd
F5
Bangor Grammar
24
3rd
Eoin McCorkindale
F4
Ballymena Academy
20
4th
John Dawson
F5
Friends School
17.5
5th
Jake Patterson
F4
Home Educated
15.5
The Belfast Scholastic Edward Whiteside Shield.Primary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion
Name
Year
School
Score
1st
Phoebe Patterson
P5
Home Educated
26
2nd
Calvin Patterson
P2
Home Educated
21
3rd
Peter Todd
P7
Kilmaine PS
17.5
4th
Fiachra Avery
P5
Home Educated
15.5
The Belfast Scholastic Fergus O’Neill Shield. Secondary Puzzle Solving Chess Champion
Name
Year
School
Score
1st
Kevin Robbin
F5
RBAI
30
2nd
John Dawson
F5
Friends School
26
3rd
Jake Patterson
F4
Home Educated
18
4th
Joel Dawson
F3
Friends School
16
The Chess competition took 30mins per round. All of them didnt go according to expectation. Phoebe Patterson winning the Primary Elite title, Hannah Patterson winning the lower school Elite title and joint holders Eoin McCorkindale and Andrew Todd of the Upper Secondary Elite title. Some exciting chess in a beautiful setting.
Final positions:
Stormont Elite Chess Tournament 2014
Primary Championships
Place
Name
Year
School
Points
1st
Phoebe Patterson
P5
Home Educated
3
2nd
Calvin Patterson
P2
Home Educated
2
3rd
Peter Todd
P7
Kilmaine PS
1
4th
Fiachra Avery
P5
Home Educated
0
Secondary F1-F3 Championships
Place
Name
Year
School
Points
1st
Hannah Patterson
F2
Home Educated
3
2nd
Joel Dawson
F3
Friends School
2
3rd
Cameron Brown
F1
Bangor Grammar
1
4th
Matthew Duffy
F1
Rathmore Grammar
0
Senior Secondary Championships
Place
Name
Year
School
Points
1st
Andrew Todd
F5
Bangor Grammar
2
1st
Eoin McCorkindale
F4
Ballymena Academy
2
3rd
John Dawson
F5
Friends School
1 ½
4th
Jake Patterson
F4
Home Educated
½
With the competition over it was time for the Award ceremony. The Principals, teachers and Home Education representative formed a line of honor. The awards were given by UCU President Geoff Hindley and Ulster Schools Chess Council President Dr Graham Murphy. Each Student receiving their prize and walking down the line of honor shaking hands and being congratulated.
Mark Newman thanked Kieran McCarthy MLA for being our host and enabling such a brilliant event to happen in such a beautiful location. Thanks were also given to the volunteers, Methodist College, the Parents and most importantly the young chess players...
Get those chess sets out and practice - See you next year