Student battle of minds in Newark Schools Chess Competition between Barnby Road, Highfields, Holy Trinity, John Blow and Sutton-on-Trent Primary School

An inter-school chess tournament has returned for the first time in three years after a break because of the covid pandemic.

Five schools took part in the first round of the Newark Schools Chess Competition at Sutton-on-Trent Primary School. The remaining two rounds will be held next year.

Barnby Road, Highfields, Holy Trinity, John Blow and Sutton on Trent schools all took part.

It involved a total of 48 children took part, forming 12 teams of four, with each child playing three games.

Barnby Road, Highfields and Holy Trinity all entered two teams while John Blow and Sutton on Trent entered three.

There were some interesting and keenly fought games with six junior chess geniuses winning all three of their games.

Medals were presented by Alastair Millar from competition sponsor, Tallents Solicitors.

In the first round scores were close with Barnby Road’s team A in first place with nine points. Barnby Road B and Holy Trinity A are joint second on 8.5 points and Sutton on Trent is in fourth with eight points

The two remaining rounds will take place in March and May next year with the cumulative score across the rounds determining the overall winner.

Organiser Graham Ladds said: “It was really enjoyable to restart the event that has been lost to the pandemic since December 2019 and I am delighted that five schools have restarted their chess activities.”