Suffolk Chess

Following his success in the London Junior Championships just after Christmas, when he scored 6/9, Jaden Jermy (right) of the Bury Knights Junior Chess Club was invited to participate in the English Closed Championships, held at Yateley Manor in Hampshire over this weekend. The tournament was 'invitation-only', and featured many of the strongest Under 12s in the country.

16 youngsters entered, with Jaden (110 ECF) seeded 13th.   The top two seeds were both graded over 150.   12 of the entrants came from the Home Counties (Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Middlesex), which has always been the hotbed of English Juniors.   Jaden was the only entrant from the East of England.

Jaden took a half-point bye in Round 1, due to the distance he had to travel.   Over the next four rounds he drew three and won one, to remain unbeaten for the event.   His total of three points has earned him selection to the England Junior Squad!   This means that he will almost certainly be selected to play for England in forthcoming international matches.

Jaden is now looking forward to the imminent publication of the new ECF grades, which should see him improve his grade substantially.