News from 2025-26 for Oxfordshire Chess

Individual Prizes 2025-2026

An error strewn list has been removed as a false assumption about the eligibility was made. I have checked and verified the following list to be accurate.
Division one and two required a minimum of 8 games played, while Division three and four required a minimum of 7 games played. Then the best percentage scorer is awarded the divisional prize.
Additionally, a prize for best junior with the best percentage meeting the criteria across all divisions is awarded a further prize.

Division One: Stuart White City 1 7.5/8 93.75
Division Two: Owen Ngai Abingdon 8.5/10 85
Division Three: Andrey Tishkin Bicester Ashton 1 8.5/9 for 94.44
Division Four: Bendek Varga Banbury 3 6/9 66.67
Junior: Owen Ngai Abingdon 8.5/10 85

End of Season Round-Up

1. Season Round-Up: The season 2025-2026 has concluded with the following results
Division One Winners - University 1;
Division Two Winners - University 2;
Division Three Winners - University 3;
Division Four Winners - Bicester 2
Frank Wood Shield - Bicester Pheonix
Any games you wish to submit for consideration of best game prize, please email to me by July 31st 2026

2. For Season 2026-2027, the OCA committee will make the recommendation to AGM for the structure of the league to be 8, 8, 8, 6 - Divisions 1, 2 and 3 will be played home and away for 14 games; Division 4 will have 3 rotations of games so 15 matches. Reasons for this recommendation will be made in full to the AGM but briefly it was felt that this structure would address some concerns from players about the reduction in games experienced in the lower divisions.
Additionally, Division 4 would be retained over 4 boards.
Finally, the Rapid-play time control adopted in the Frank Wood Shield will be maintained for the coming season.

3. Volunteers
The OCA committee seeks to recruit a County Captain for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Anyone interested should contact either the outgoing captain who can answer any immediate/handover questions (Tony Burcham) or myself.
Additionally, in order to future proof the committee, we are keen for any volunteer to identify themselves at any time.
There will be roles upcoming in future seasons that shadowing/preparing would be useful to have some people ready and able to stand in when required, as well as widening the pool of people who can bring fresh ideas to the committee.

Oxon A record their first win of the season

A strong Oxon team convincingly beat Bucks 15.5 - 4.5 on Saturday 24th January in the Chiltern Chess league to record their first win of the 25/26 season. It was great to see so many strong players representing the county, so thanks to everyone for your availability. This proves what we are capable of as a county chess contingent and what should really be the norm, rather than the exception. Thanks to all who helped out setting up and putting away the equipment, it really does make a difference. We have a few weeks break now before our next fixture, which is a home fixture against Hants, to be played on Saturday 14th March 26. I will be in again touch closer to the time.

Don't forget the Kidlington Chess Congress takes place this coming weekend Sat 31st Jan and Sun 1st Feb. There is still time to enter.

Oxfordshire Junior Chess Tournament Results 3rd / 4th Jan 2026

The Oxon Junior Chess Trials and Championships were held at Cumnor Primary School on the weekend of 3rd /4th Jan 2026. Despite the chilly weather, we had almost 100 entries over the four sections: U9, U11, U13, U15/18. It was lovely to meet so many new, young players, as well as to see the top junior talent in the county contest the top places.

Congratulations to our 2026 Oxfordshire junior champions:

U9: 1st Nicholas Tanuwidjaja, 2nd Yuqi Liu, 3rd Gregory Schlackow

U11: 1st Anna Gray, 2nd Yechu Chen, 3rd Edmond Du

U13: 1st Aden Kennedy, 2nd Gavin Wang, 3rd Kadhir Cholan

U15 champions: Daniel Udovenko and Jan Murawski

U18 champion: Kenneth Hobson

U18G champion: Shambavi Hariharan

Best performing primary schools: Dragon and MCS *

Best performing secondary school: Cherwell *

*based on top four scores of players, no single school can win the prize twice in consecutive years.

Player lists and results can be found via the following links:

U9s U11s U13s U15/18s

Special thanks to the welcoming Cumnor Primary School for hosting and to:

- arbiters / controllers: Joe Conlon, Alex Conlon, Andrew Varney, Zoe Varney, Craig Miller, Matt Bevis

- U9, U11, U11G captains: David Scott, Dan Schmidt Valle, Julie Gray

- front desk and bookstall: Ola Murawska

- general help: Juliette Sherwood, Fulya Markham

- Ojays coach: Joe Cossins-Smith.