Last Chance Saloon

16 players entered the ‘Last Chance Saloon‘ today, a tournament organised to allow those who have not previously qualified, to have an opportunity to reach the Megafinal stage of the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge.

The event was held at the Meadows Montessori School in Ipswich.

Eight entrants were from Suffolk, whilst the remainder came from further afield – Cambridgeshire, Essex and Northamptonshire.

Due mainly to the wide range of ages represented, 14 of the 16 entrants managed to qualify for their county’s Megafinal.   Of the Suffolk players, seven will be heading to Woodbridge for the Suffolk Megafinal on Sunday 8 May.

The age range threw up some odd pairings, including (right) the oldest, 17-year old Yousuf Rahman (Wisbech) against 8-year old Tia Martin (Bury St Edmunds).   The top Suffolk scorers were Jenni Rochford (Debenham) and Tia Martin, both on 14 points (out of a possible 21).

In the UK Schools Chess Challenge it is possible to qualify for the Megafinal even if you lose every game (as one girl did).   This can happen provided you are the only entrant in your age-group.