British Junior Age Championships

[robin moore]

Jacqui raises a very good point here that deserves serious discussion. Parents of candidates for this event would be best to give some welcome input here. I don't fall into that category but I would like to share some of my thoughts. International chess is not cheap, whether it be somewhere else in the British Isles or in Europe or even farther afield. If a junior is selected to play for Scotland at say the EU youth, the Euroyouth or the World youth, their parents often make this event the family holiday for the year. This can be a serious drain on finances which limits appearances at the top events. I am now voicing a purely personal view and that is that the British championships does not generate the same excitement or possibly prestige as playing in one of the "majors" overseas. The time of year of the British may have a bearing too, coming, as it does in a logjam of important events like the Scottish, Glorney, EU and Euroyouth. If parents have a commitment to one or two of these events, it can often be virtually impossible to commit to the British also,

Robin.