Junior Chess Event – Blackpool 9th May 2026

St Cuthbert’s, Blackpool, FY4 2AU

Date: Saturday 9th May 10:00 till 15:00

Lancashire junior chess is running a tournament and coaching day for children aged 18 and under who are keen to improve their chess.

Venue: St Cuthbert’s Academy, Blackpool, FY4 2AU

NOTE: There will be no catering facilities, so please ensure your child has a packed lunch and refreshments for the day. Strictly no nuts, please.

To attend, your child should be able to play basic chess, i.e. Understand the pieces, their moves and know the rules of castling, stalemate and checkmate.

It is an informal and fun day, with a mixture of match play and some coaching.

There will be a tuck shop run by parents, so maybe send a couple of pounds for sweets / crisps / pop etc.

There will be some supervised outdoor play.

We assign children to sections according to ability, not age. We have a mixture of coaches that includes primary school teachers who will help support the lower sections. We expect at least 4 sections, a minimum of a top section of Rooks, Bishops, Knights, and Pawns. The Knights and Pawns may be split into other sections, such as Red, Green.

Aims of the Lancashire Chess Association Junior events

• To encourage more children to play more chess
• To allow children to play over the board chess in a fun and sociable environment
• To highlight the opportunities to play chess for Lancashire junior teams
• To identify children for Lancashire junior teams at under9 and under11
• To increase the visibility of Lancashire junior chess across Lancashire

Timetable

09:30 Arrival, sign in and assign the children to ability specific groups

10:00 Welcome meeting and overview

10:10 Parents leave playing hall

Children will play at least 3 matches in the morning session with coaching in between matches.

12:30 Lunch break with supervised outside play.

13:00  Continue the tournament and coaching

Children will play at least 3 matches in the afternoon session

14:45 Wrap up with certificates, trophies

15:00 Leave

Prizes

Each section will have trophies and certificates

Coaches

• Colin Greenwood – Event director
• Jacqui Boardman – Section Leader
• Gordon Glover – Section Leader
• Peter Barlass – Section Leader
• John Shortt – Coaching
• Aidan Magee – Coaching
• Carl Tillotson – Chief Arbiter

Entry Form

Please enter using our Junior Event Entry Form

Terms and conditions https://lancashirechess.uk/juniors/junior-events-terms-and-conditions/

Queries

Frequently asked questions https://lancashirechess.uk/juniors/junior-event-frequently-asked-questions-faq/

Feel free to contact me with any queries, Colin Greenwood