Last year our U9 team finished third equal in their zonal qualifier, and then second at the national final.
This year we would like to do even better!
But first we need to qualify for the final, by placing well in the South-West Zonal, which will be held on Saturday 28th February at the St. Swithun's School, Alresford Road, WINCHESTER SO21 1HA.
10 teams will compete with Swiss team pairings over 12 boards, decided on Game Points. The teams will be Buckinghamshire, Glamorgan, Hampshire, Maidenhead, Oxfordshire, Richmond A and Richmond B, Somerset, Sussex, Wey Valley. Up to 4 reserves from each team will play in a separate tournament at the same time as the main event.
Richmond will enter two teams.
The rate of play will be all moves in 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move.
The schedule for the day will be:
- Arrival – by 11:00
- Board Stewards Meeting – 11:15
- First Round – 11:45
- Second Round – 12:50
- Third Round – 13:55
- Fourth Round – 15:00
- Fifth Round – 16:05
- Prize Giving – from 17:15
Richmond will provide a team bus for those that find it convenient.
For those that prefer to take public transport, it is advised to take the 08:58 from Richmond platform 2 to Clapham Junction, arriving 09:08, and then change for the 09:27 to Winchester, arriving 10:50. St. Swithun's School is then a 10-minute taxi ride from Winchester Station. Unfortunately, the journey time is longer than usual, as there will be a rail replacement bus service between Basingstoke and Winchester.
For those that prefer to drive, the journey time from Twickenham is just a little over an hour. Take the M3 South and leave at Junction 9. From the roundabout on top of the motorway, take the first exit to Alresford and the A31. At the next roundabout, take the first exit continuing that path. Take the first exit (B3404) at the next roundabout. After 1 mile, the school is situated on the right.
If you would like your children to take part, please complete the following form: https://www.rjcc.org.uk/our-teams/epsca-english-primary-schools-chess-association/epsca-teams-declaration-of-interest/
The Richmond team selection will be announced on Tuesday, 24th February.
The format of the Under 9 will be regional Zones qualifying for a Major Final and a Minor Final. The top teams go into the Major Final and the next set of teams go into the Minor Final. No Association can have more than one team in each Final. The size of each Final will be capped at 12 teams.
The Major Final will take place on Saturday 25th April, at the Meadow Park School, Abbey Road, Coventry CV3 4BD; the Minor Final will take place at Finham Park, 2, Torrington Avenue, Coventry CV4 9WT.
