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British Champs 2023

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Submitted by DrDave on

I've been trying to find and follow the progress of Devon juniors in this year's Championships, but please email me if I've missed anyone.

I spotted Luke Honey and Reece Whittington having a go in the strong 9-round Major Open, scoring 5 and 3.5 respectively.  A tough week in the office!  (For context, the winner was an International Master who scored 7/9.)

Reece and Luke then took part in the U1900 Rapidplay, which was won by Luke with 5.5/6 -- very well done! 

Opening choices

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Submitted by DrDave on

Thank you for filling in the opening questionnaires online, and I'm sorry we didn't get time to look at your responses on Saturday.  But here is what I might have said:

Systems for White

Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4)
My main recommendation for a first opening system, leading to an open game with chances to attack.  Good stuff, just the style you should use when you start playing chess.

Colle System (1.d4 with Nf3/e3 and without c4)
A good first opening system -- develop and attack!

Best puzzle books

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Submitted by DrDave on

While we were talking to the U14/U18 squads, the ChessDojo folks were discussing the best puzzle books for improvement.  Their recommendations are:

The Dojo List!
1. Perfect Your Chess, Grabinsky/Volokitin https://amzn.to/43gqYI6
2. 5334 Problems, L Polgar https://amzn.to/43HyJH4
3. Think like a Super-GM, Adams/Hertado https://amzn.to/3qkFzDP
4. Mastering Chess Strategy Hellsten https://amzn.to/43jk9ph

Megafinals and Moving Up

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Submitted by DrDave on

In junior chess news this week, Devon juniors made a strong showing at the over-the-board Somerset Megafinal, with Caleb Caleshu winning 6/6 in his section and other Devon players ( ... ) qualifying in theirs. Congratulations to all and well done to others for competing strongly even if they didn't get through.

Congratulations too to Caleb and Luke Honey, who have been selected to play for the Devon County (adult) team last weekend.

Devon players score for England

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Submitted by DrDave on

News from Mr,Cross:

Over half-term, Devon junior players Caleb Caleshu, Pengxiao Zhu, James Glasson and Joe Forty represented England regional U14 or U12 teams against the equivalent full Wales International teams in Chepstow. Their combined score was 4 out of 8 and they contributed to England winning both matches.

Well done Devon!

 

England success

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Submitted by DrDave on

Exeter School pupil Pengxiao Zhu took part in the EPSCA* U11 team trial in Liverpool last weekend and has been selected for the England team.  He scored 4/6 points, coming joint third in the competition.

*England Primary Schools Chess Association

UK Chess Challenge 2022

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Submitted by DrDave on

The event dates and qualification rules for the UK Chess Challenge 2022
have been announced.

https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/2022-dates-and-overview/

The UK Chess Challenge is the largest chess competition in the world,
with (pre-COVID) more than 100,000 children taking part in schools and
elsewhere each year.  There are different stages to the competition:
school, Megafinal, Gigafinal and Terafinal.

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