In 2004, the final Neath & District tournament was held, ending a 25-year run as the largest junior chess event in West Wales. At its peak, it welcomed 135 players — a number that must have made for a hectic, labour-intensive day! I remember playing in my first tournament there when I was six. Back then, it was known as the Gnoll Chess Tournament. My dad was busy running the event — and one of the sections — while I helped set up. As it happened, the player count was one short, so I stepped in. The enthusiastic youngster I was lost every game, but I didn’t mind; I had my very own badge.
But last weekend, the Neath & District rose again from the ashes for another exciting chapter in junior chess. This year, the event was held at Bryncoch Community Centre, which turned out to be the perfect venue for he twenty two children who took part — nine of them from outside Castell Nedd Chess Club. The U15 and U12 sections were run together. William Francis, a long-time junior and seasoned player, dominated. Now fifteen, this was his first and final opportunity to claim the Neath title, and he did so decisively. Newcomer Erik Elgersman, a sharp and promising player, took runner-up and will certainly be one to watch in next year’s Championship League.
In the U12 section, the competition was fierce between William O’Connor Gunston, Advik, and Jakob. Advik and Jakob, both in their debut league season, this year have already proven their strength against regular players. But it was William, the “dark horse” of the group, who surprised everyone with wins over both rivals. In the end, however, it was Championship League veteran Tomos Francis — William Francis’s brother — who took first place, with William and Advik as runners-up. One of the day’s most intense games was a brotherly playoff, finished only thanks to a ticking clock!
The U10 section was by far the largest with 13 players. Among them were six-year-olds Eve O’Sullivan Griffiths and Mishi Nigari, bravely taking on their first tournaments. Other newcomers, like Anna Jones, showed clear potential, while players such as Arush Ram, Thomas MacDonald-Wright, Virat Nigari, and Ethan Tirukoti demonstrated they are ready for competitive chess. Thomas, coached at Morriston Chess Club, has grown into a strong competitor. He came within a hair’s breadth of winning, but it was Arush Ram — younger brother of Advik — whose continued improvement earned him the top spot after a deciding final match.
But the day wasn’t only about competition. Fire tablets gave players a chance to tackle chess puzzles application between rounds, and a puzzle-solving contest added another layer of fun. The giant chess set also proved popular, offering a relaxed space to unwind during the lunch break.
Special thanks go to Jonathan Thomas for morning setup and to Anthony Beck, who not only ran the U15/U12 section and acted as arbiter, but also thoughtfully brought a McDonald’s breakfast for his fellow controller!
All in all, it was a wonderful restart to the Neath & District tradition — a day full of fun, fierce games, and the community spirit that makes junior chess so special.
Hywel Griffiths
