CSC Teesside: 11th CSC Teesside Team Tournament

The 11th CSC Teesside Team Tournament took place at Holy Trinity Primary today.

Six schools entered the tournament and we had 33 children in action during an exciting afternoon of chess - the most since pre-COVID days.

Throston and Fairfield shared first place last year and they both fancied their chances of success again this time, but there were lots of tough games today and the final places were in doubt until the final pawns were pushed.

After the first of the two rounds - played on the Jamboree system - Fairfield held a slender one-point advantage over Throston.

All of the other teams were busy taking points off each other, making it difficult for them to challenge for the top spot.

Fairfield continued their excellent form in the second round and ultimately this proved just enough to hold off the challenge of the tenacious Throston team, who did more than enough to earn silver.

Holy Trinity A leapfrogged over some of the other teams with a strong finish, to leave them in medal places too.

All of the teams were awarded with certificates. The top three teams earned medals and champions Fairfield earned special winners' certificates and a chess book for their school library. The medals and the book were provided by CSC (thank you, Nevil!).

Fairfield have made a big impression in this tournament since they joined CSC last year and they will be looking to make it three consecutive wins when we have the 12th tournament in the series next year.

Holy Trinity were excellent hosts (we have used a different school venue each time) and they did extremely well in the tournament, especially considering they are still in their first year of chess. Indeed, history was already made before a single move was played, as this was the first-ever chess event at Holy Trinity.

All of the teams played their part in making it such an excellent afternoon of chess, whether they went home with medals or not.

Final Scores

Fairfield 7

Throston 6

Holy Trinity A 3.5

Holy Trinity B and Wheatlands 3

Holy Trinity C 2.5

Billingham South 2

Mill Lane 1

The tournament has built up a very impressive history (despite losing two years to COVID).

Thank you to all of the children and staff for making the event such a great success.

Roll of Honour

2011: Ings Farm and Throston

2012: Ings Farm and Billingham South

2013: Throston

2014: Errington

2015: Throston

2016: Sacred Heart

2017: Westgarth

2018: Westgarth

2019: Westgarth and Billingham South

2022: Fairfield and Throston

2023: Fairfield

We conclude with a gallery from the event.