Win the title, English Youth Chess Champion, receive at least £85* and play for England in the European Youth Chess Championships or the World Youth Chess Championships! The Junior Selection Policy explains.
Twenty-four (24) titles will be awarded in birth year categories from seven to eighteen. When a boy wins the English Youth Grand Prix, an English Girls’ Chess Champion title will also be awarded. When a girl wins the English Youth Grand Prix, an English Boys’ Chess Champion title will also be awarded. Results from girls-only and boys-only sections will count only for girls’ and boys’ titles, respectively. Tie-breaks are decided by head-to-head results in any Grand Prix tournament, then Joint Champions are awarded and prize money is shared. Titles and prizes for all ages will be awarded only to players eligible to represent England in FIDE youth championships. Only designated tournaments are part of the Grand Prix, provided games are accepted into the ECF Grading Database and sections are limited to players under 18 years old. Scoring rules vary by age. ECF membership is required.
Players turning 7 and 8 years old in 2013: The best three results count, measured by percentage score (points ÷ games). Tournaments may be standard or rapid play. In the event tournaments run concurrent ‘major’ and ‘minor’ sections, then only results for the ‘major’ count.
Players turning 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 in 2013: The best three results count, measured by tournament performance grades (TPGs) using junior selection methodology. In other words, Grand Prix scores by junior selection TPGs, from the Performance Calculator. Junior selection TPGs from all ‘major’ sections may count, but only one ‘minor’ section result may count. Only standard play counts.
Players turning 17 and 18 in 2013: These players compete for English Youth Champion titles in the ECF Grand Prix‘s Open and Women’s sections. This competition ends on 30 June.
Grand Prix Standings are shown at this link.
Grand Prix Tournaments:
British Junior Chess Championships, 22 July – 4 August, North Shields
Gibraltar Junior International Chess Festival, 16-21 August, Gibraltar
UK Schools Chess Challenge Terafinal, 18-19 August, Loughborough
English Closed Under 11 Championships, 13-14 October, Nottingham
London Junior Chess Championships, 15-16 and 28-30 December, Harrow
Yateley Manor’s South of England Chess Championships, 26-27 January, Yateley
West of England Chess Championships, 16-17 February, Swindon
National Chess Junior Squad Championships (open registration), 6-7 April, Daventry. This event marks the end of the competition for 9 to 16-year-old players, as well as 7 and 8 year-0ld boys.
Additional rapid play tournaments for 7 and 8-years-olds:
British Rapidplay Championships, 24-25 November, Leeds
English Junior Rapidplay, 8 December, London
National Girls’ Chess Championships, 1 June, Bolton. This event marks the end of the competition for 7 and 8 year old girls.
Note: The EPSCA Rapidplay, 13 April in Liverpool, was listed as a Grand Prix tournament on the understanding results were to be submitted for grading. Regretfully, miscommunication between EPSCA and the ECF occurred. The EPSCA Rapidplay will not be graded and therefore results cannot be counted in the Grand Prix. The ECF apologises for the disappointment caused.
What this means for players and parents: ECF membership is the new eligibility requirement. Play in as many tournaments as you wish, but only the top three results count. Two sections in the same tournament count as separate results, as may be the case for those who play in both the British Under 12 Championship and the British Under 13 Championship. Grand Prix scoring by junior selection TPGs means that players may ‘play up’ in age and immediately determine their own score using the Performance Calculator. Those with a technical understanding of the ECF grading system will note that, in general, tournaments conducted shortly after new grades are published (presently July and January) more accurately indicate the relative strength of players. They will also note that higher junior selection TPGs are more likely after the January grades are published, but that a more significant statistical advantage results by choosing tournaments where the strongest players compete. Wise players will simply play chess in more than the final three tournaments and be delighted to encounter stronger opponents. It is for this reason that junior tournaments are not for everybody. Adult tournaments often strengthen a young person’s chess more rapidly achieve the target grade and target rating needed to play for England in the major championships–the European Youth Chess Championships, the World Youth Chess Championships, the World Junior Chess Championship and the World Youth Under 16 Olympiad. Considering the different psychology involved, youth chess can be just as competitive as all-age chess. Players who choose to compete in this Grand Prix gain experience relevant for the next level of youth championships. Winners are legitimate English Youth Chess Champions.
* Consider adding to the prize fund that The John Robinson Youth Chess Trust generously began. To donate, contact the ECF office or use this PayPal button.