The third and final round of the Newark primary schools’ chess league saw a very good performance from Holy Trinity to become worthy winners of this year’s competition. Sutton on Trent who had won the competition the previous three seasons had to settle for second place, with Barnby Road finishing in third place.
Two previous rounds had been held with Donald Bailey hosting the November event and Barnby Road in March. The scores from these two events were added to the points gained in the final round to produce the overall positions. Holy Trinity scored a total of 28 points out of 36 from the three events, with Sutton on Trent gaining 25.5 points and Barnby Road 24.5.
Over the year seven schools took part: Barnby Road, John Blow (Collingham), Donald Bailey, Chuter Ede, Highfields, Holy Trinity and Sutton on Trent. Teams comprise of four players and each child plays three games in the afternoon against different teams in a jamboree format.
Seven children received medals for winning all three games – one player from Barnby Road, and then two from Holy Trinity A team, one from Holy Trinity B team, two from Sutton on Trent A team and one from Sutton on Trent B team.
The competition has been sponsored by Tallents Solicitors since it started in 2008. Trophies were awarded to the teams coming in first, second and third positions.
Martyn Winn from Newark Chess club controlled the event and then presented the trophies and medals to the successful children.
It was noticeable that the standard of play improved over the school year and the final event produced some very well thought out checkmates.