Established in 2009, the Newark Primary Schools Chess League has been sponsored by Tallents Solicitors since its inauguration.
Primary schools across the Newark and Sherwood District are invited each year to enter multiple teams of four children into the competition, which stages three tournaments a year.
This year, the autumn competition saw 44 children from 11 teams participate against each other in the first round held at the YMCA Community and Activity Village. These teams included three teams from Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, two teams from Barnby Road Academy, Sir Donald Bailey Academy, and Sutton on Trent Primary, and one from John Blow Primary School and Highfields School,
Each child played three games against a different opponent, with each team playing at least one game against the other teams.
The children played chess with great skill and focus, so much so that the competition saw many close games, with last year’s tournament winners Sutton on Trent Primary making a strong start with their A team in first place scoring 10 points from their 12 games. Holy Trinity Catholic Academy finished in second place with nine points and Barnby Road A in third place with 8.5 points.
Six children won all three games – a player each from Barnby Road Academy and Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, and four from Sutton on Trent Primary (three from the A team and one from their B team).
Alistair Millar and the Chess Competition medal winners from Barnby Road Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic Academy and Sutton on Trent Primary
These children were presented with medals by Alistair Millar, Senior Partner at the competition’s sponsors Tallents Solicitors, who said: “We’ve seen some amazing chess being played here today and whether you won, lost or drew your games, you should be very proud of yourselves for turning up and taking part. We’d like to applaud all the children who played chess here today for their commitment to the game.”
Tallents Solicitors has long recognised the many benefits that playing chess offers children and this is the main reason for their sponsorship of the tournament since 2009.
Playing chess offers children the change to improve their cognitive skills such as critical thinking, calculation, memory and problem solving, which can lead to enhanced academic performance. By playing and interacting with children from across all the different primary schools in the Newark area, the children also build crucial social and emotional skills, such as patience, self-confidence, teamwork, supporting each other, good sportsmanship, fair play, engaging with other children, and self-sacrifice. Chess is an incredibly universal and inclusive activity which can be played by anyone of any age or physical ability.
Two more competition rounds for the Newark Primary Schools Chess League will take place in March 2026 and May 2026 and the points from these two events will be added to the first round’s results to decide the overall winner at the summer Tournament.
If your child or school would like to take part in the League, please contact Graham Ladds on 01636 821891.
