R. P. Ross Hull & District Junior Championship 2008

Mike presenting trophy to winner

The first Hull Junior Chess Tournament for many years took place at Hull University on Sunday 6th April.

22 competitors sat down to play for the title of R. P. Ross Hull & District Junior Champion and cash prizes amounting to £65 donated by the Ross Fund. Additional book prizes were donated by Peter Cloudsdale, Vice-President of the Yorkshire Chess Association, who also assisted with organization.

With an age range from 8 to 14 it was expected that one of the older children would win the competition and this turned out to be the case. However, the Under 11's put up some excellent performances with Robert Whittle Joint 3rd overall and 1st in the Under 11 section, Ben Watts Joint 4th overall and 2nd in the Under 11 section. Also prominent were Richard Longbone, Thomas Preston and Thomas Thorley - all joint 3rd in the Under 11 section while close behind Mark De La Cruz was placed 4th in the Under 11 section.

The 11 and over section was also very close with all the favorites doing well. Thomas Bertolotti, who for me was the tournament favorite, eventually prevailed to win the title so many congratulations to him. However, he was made to fight all the way with a last round win over Francesca Fozard, after being beaten in the penultimate round by Abdulla Barkaji, who lost his last round game to Daniel McDonald. Macauley Davy was placed joint 2nd with a last round win against Robert Whittle.

To sum up - the whole tournament was very tight, only 4 points separating the top 11 players and the final placings were:-

16 points :::: Thomas Bertolotti :::: £20
***************(R P Ross Junior Champion)***************

15 points :::: Daniel McDonald :::: £8
15 points :::: Francesca Fozard :::: £8
15 points :::: Abdulla Barkaji :::: £8
15 points :::: Macauley Davy :::: £8

14 points :::: Kavanagh Kilvington
14 points :::: Robert Whittle

13 points :::: Alexandra Youngson
13 points :::: Benjamin Watts

Others taking part :::: : Amy Hutson, Alison Slater, Liam Acklam, Richard Longbone, Thomas Thorley, Thomas Preston, Mark De la Cruz, Patti Rivero Cacho, Stephen Beales, Kieran Harpham & Rachelle Longbone.
I would like to thank all of the children for their excellent spirit and conduct throughout the tournament - they were a credit to everyone. In particular my thanks go to the children who did not do so well, but kept on going to the final round without making the prize list, so well done to them for their efforts.

I would also like to thank the many helpers, Peter, Roger, Shaun, Stefan and Patrick without whom there would have been no tournament.

Mike Butt
President: Hull & District Chess Association

6th April 2008