EJCOA Qualifier (LCE): 8th Junior Tournament & Training Day 2026

Location: 44 Pursley Rd, London NW7 2EP

Event Details

Age Groups:

• U8, U10, U12, U14-20

• Your age group will be determined based on your age as of January 1st 2026

Format:

• 5 Rounds

• 4 Lessons

• All games will be ECF-rated.

Prizes:

• Awarded to the top 3 players and a top girl in each age group U8, U10, U12

• Training prize for best student during lessons from each group

EJCOA Qualification:

• Top boy and girl from each section will be awarded a spot at the finals in July

Time Control:

• 15 minutes (no increment) each player

Eligibility:

• Players must hold a Junior Gold Membership with the English Chess Federation.

  • Not a member yet? 👉 Join Here

Training Sessions:

• Grouping: Players will be grouped according to their playing strength, with the flexibility to switch groups on the day.

• Sign-In: All participants must sign in upon arrival to receive their designated color group for the training sessions.

• Coaches: Training will be led by an experienced team, including WGM Lan Yao, FI Jake Hung, Findlay Casey, and others.

Example Topics for each groups:

Red Group

• Endgame 1

• Endgame 2

• Tactics

• Classic Game

Blue Group

• Pawn Endgames

• More pawn endgames

• Strong and weak squares

• Classic Game: Judit Polgar

Green Group

• Mating nets

• More mating nets

• Discovered attacks/checks

• Classic Game: Magnus Carlsen

Yellow Group

• Checkmate patterns with major pieces

• Exploiting big advantages

• Basic Tactics

• Review of Opening Traps

Event Schedule

09:00 Doors Open
09:45 Introduction Talk
10:00 Round 1
10:35 Lesson 1
11:10 Round 2
11:45 Lesson 2
12:20 Round 3
12:55 Lesson 3
13:30 Round 4
14:05 Lesson 4
14:40 Round 5

Prize Giving: Immediately following the conclusion of the final game.

Please Note: There will be no designated lunch break. Participants are encouraged to find time to eat between rounds or during lessons.

Important Notes

• Supervision: Organizers do not provide supervision between rounds. Parents or a designated adult must stay on-site to supervise children.

• Playing Area: Parents are not permitted in the playing area during games but may attend the training sessions.

• Catering: Food and refreshments will be available on-site, though participants are welcome to bring their own provisions.

• Parking: On-site parking is available for all attendees.

• Merging Sections: Organizers reserve the right to merge age groups if necessary.

Disclaimer

The organizers accept no responsibility for loss, theft, or accidents involving participants or visitors at the venue or surrounding areas. Parents remain responsible for their children at all times and in all areas during the event.

Key Notes

• Playing Area Access: Parents are not permitted in the playing area while children are competing. However, parents are welcome to join during the training sessions.

• Child Supervision: Organizers do not provide supervision between rounds. Parents must remain on-site to supervise their children or arrange for another responsible adult to do so.

• Age Group Merging: The organizers reserve the right to merge age group sections if necessary.

• Catering: Food and refreshments will be available on-site, but participants are welcome to bring their own provisions.

• Parking: On-site parking is available for all attendees.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!