The 9th Brentwood Tournament was something that I will always be able to look back on fondly. I was able to officially arbiter my first ever tournament as an English Chess Federation National Arbiter, and it played out very successfully.
I was the arbiter for the Under 18 Minor (players rated below 1000) section for the day, and also assisted the Deputy Chief Arbiter, FA Bowley, in the updating of results and pairings into the Swiss Manager Computer System.
The section provided me with many situations in which I had to use my knowledge that I had acquired from the time I had played for the Senior School and all the school tournaments I have unofficially arbited and helped organise.
This tournament allowed me to gain a lot of experience, which was one of my main goals, and my main take away from this experience. I hope that the tournament is just as good next year, maybe even on a larger scale if possible!
Report by Riley Glover – Year 11 – Chess Arbiter
Nikith on the left (playing Arjun) is the new Brentwood Prep Champion.
Most of the Brentwood Prep and Brentwood Senior School players.
Essex Junior Chess Association Chairman Dave Hawkins giving a chess lesson to 3 St Cedd’s players in their first tournament.
Dylan – here playing Anushka – is the Under 18 Open winner
Going into game 1, I was playing a strong opponent who I knew from the tournament before, when we were both in the U14 section. This time, our clash was in the U18 Minor section. It was a close game, but in the end my opponent was victorious. Game 2 was another tough match in which my opponent was the clear winner. So far 0 points out of a possible 2, and it was looking like I was having a bad tournament.
In game 3, I picked up my first win of the tournament. It was at this moment that I started to get hope to potentially perform at a high standard throughout the rest of the tournament. The facilities at the tournament were great by the way. There was a catering area, a room to practice chess, and even a room where you could just chill out and watch other people play their matches. Game 4, and I racked up another win to make it 2 points out of a possible 4.
Now was the lunch break, where most people had pizza – a good break always allows the players to reflect on their current form and see how to improve going into the next few rounds. Games 5 and 6 both ended In a win for me, so I was happy with my current results of 4 points out of a possible 6.
Game 7 and I played the statistically hardest opponent in the entire U18 Minor section. The game ended in a third loss for me, but that win was extremely beneficial to my opponent, who would go on to win bronze in the overall tournament for the U18 Minor section. Game 8 and a win to round off the tournament, where I finished tied 5th (6th on tiebreak).
I won a medal in the prizegiving ceremony, for my high finish and good performance (5 points out of a possible 8, in my first time in the U18 Minor.)
Looking back, it was a great day where everyone had so much fun getting to play and see others play with a competitive twist.
Report by Jack McKinlay – Year 7 (Under 18 Minor)
My experience in the chess tournament was an enjoyable one. I got 4 points out of 8 and won a trophy, which was a special prize for enjoying the chess I played and the spirit I played it in.
It was one of the best tournaments I played ever. Everyone was trying their very best, meaning that if you won the tournament that you would have deserved it. I had a brilliant time. And I was a draw away from being Prep School champion. But the winner Nikith definitely deserved it.
Report by Joshua McKinlay (Year 5)
