Neath & District Chess Tournament Report
The Neath & District Chess Tournament was once again a strong success this year, featuring a healthy mix of players from Castell Nedd Chess Club as well as competitors from outside the Neath area. Participants travelled from Llanelli and Ammanford to take part, competing for the Neath & District trophies across multiple age categories.
Under 15 Section
The Under 15 category saw a competitive field, with Erik Elgersman completing his first season. Although he experienced a tougher second half after a strong start that boosted his grade, he remained the standout player in the age group. He finished on 5.5 out of 7 games, securing the Under 15 title. Under 12 Section
In the Under 12s, Advik Ram finished in first place. Advik, already gaining experience through his second year in the West Wales Chess League, demonstrated consistency and strength throughout the event. The runner-up position went to Oscar Purcell, another newer league player, who scored 5 out of 7. His performance marked a strong debut at this level of competition.
Under 10 Section
The Under 10 section provided opportunities for newer players to shine, especially as several more experienced juniors such as Aarush, Ethan, and Misha were competing in county events in England. The main contest developed between Virat Nagari and Ashviga Pugalnanthy. Although Ashviga is self-taught and has had limited access to over-the-board club play, she demonstrated clear potential and strong natural ability. However, Virat Nagari, playing in the league for the first time this year, proved dominant by winning all his games to take first place.
Under 8 Section
The Under 8 category was one of the most closely contested sections of the day. Kosta Antonov (from Llanelli) and Danny Jones, representing the newly formed Castle Neath Chess Club, finished joint first with 4 points each. Both players showed strong promise despite their limited competitive experience. Danny Jones, who is self-taught and has only been attending Castell Nedd Chess Club for around four weeks, produced an especially notable performance. It would have been interesting to see how returning players such as Misha and Ethan might have fared in this section.
Closing Notes
Overall, the tournament was an enjoyable and well-run event, offering competitive but friendly chess across all age groups. Additional prizes were awarded for puzzle-solving performances, adding an extra layer of engagement for participants. Thanks are due to Anthony Beck and Michael Beck for their help in organising and running the tournament, as well as for assisting with players who received byes each round. Appreciation is also extended for providing refreshments, including coffee, tea, and squash, for both adults and juniors throughout the day.
