Harrogate Junior Chess Championships 2026

The competition is organised by HDPSCA (Harrogate & District Primary Schools Chess Association - Charity ref 511173) and is free to enter for all chess playing Harrogate & District Primary School children irrespective of their chess playing ability. To enter your child fill in the entry form (RSVP) on this webpage. 

There are individual prizes to be won and also the prestigious Champion District School Trophy awarded to the winning school or local junior club.

The tournament will be played as a 5 round Swiss Tournament (i.e. winners play winners and losers play losers). Each game (round) will last about 20 minutes.

The UK Government recognises the benefits to young children of the game of chess. In a speech at the Onward Think Tank in July 2023, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said "Chess  is a brilliant way for young people to develop skills such as patience  and critical thinking. It is something constructive…