On Sunday 14th November York held the inaugural interschools chess tournament at Fishergate Primary School. It was a great day. The event was organised and run by local York chess player, Ben Rich. There were 10 primary teams and 6 secondaries. 

Every York school (primary and secondary) was invited to enter a team of four players.  

The primary school tournament played for the Simon Benedictus Shield, thanks to a generous legacy by the family of Simon Benedictus, a Berkshire player and junior organiser. 

EVERY school entering a team received FOUR free competition-quality chess sets to build enthusiasm for the game.

The secondary school tournament played for the Ewan Cameron Chess Set which is a beautiful inlaid portable set donated by this former York Chess Club President’s widow.

There were prizes for performance, perservering and encouragement! 

There were teams from our two CSC schools - Scarcroft and St Wilfrid's:

Scarcroft Kasparov

Scarcroft Smyslov

St Wilfrid's Wesley So

St Wilfrid's had to enter a scratch team. The first team had to pull out due to a clash with York's Festival of Dance! St Wilfrid's Wesley So were the youngest children there and, in their first tournament, did really well. It was particularly pleasing to be able to field four girls in the team. The team showed great resilience and kept going, and smiling. The organisers rewarded them with medals for perservering.   

Scarcroft Smyslov fought hard and enjoyed the chess and intense games of football in between rounds. 

Scarcroft Kasparov did amazingly well and finished first! 

The Scarcroft Head was very pleased and will display the Simon Benedictus Shield in the school's reception area for all to see.