The TCA Novice Tournament 2024 was a significant event in the chess calendar, designed specifically for young and inexperienced players. Held on November 10, 2024, at the ActiveKids Learning Center in Kennedy Town, the tournament attracted close to 100 enthusiastic participants eager to showcase their skills and learn from their experiences.
The tournament aimed to provide a welcoming environment for novice players, fostering a love for chess and encouraging healthy competition. It has helped numerous kids get their First Tournament Experience over the years, allowing them to practice their chess skills in a tournament setting. For some, playing with a clock for the first time or competing in multiple games against different opponents was all new. This experience helped them better prepare for larger tournaments in the near future, such as The TCA End of Year 2024.
As the rounds progressed, the intensity grew, with players adapting their strategies based on previous games. Many matches were closely contested, with several going down to the wire.
In the U7 section, the competition was particularly thrilling, showcasing some outstanding young talent. Sarah Sun, a student from TCA, dominated the U7 category, finishing the tournament with an impressive 7 points out of 7 rounds. Her strategic play and confidence on the board earned her the championship title. Nathanael Lik Shun Chan secured second place with 6 points, his only loss coming against Sarah, demonstrating solid performance throughout the tournament. George Jia Zhi Ma claimed third place, finishing with a commendable score. He also lost only to the top two players, showing strong competitive spirit and skill. The female champion was Fiona Cao.
- 1st Place Winner – Sun, Xiruo*
- 2nd Place Winner – Chan, Nathanael Lik Shun
- 3rd Place Winner – Ma, George Jia Zhi
- Female Champion – Cao, Fiona Siyi*
The U9 section featured intense competition, with four players finishing with 6 points each. Given that only the top three players could receive trophies, tie-breaks were utilized to determine the final standings. (The use of tie-breaks ensured that the final standings reflected not only the players’ points but also their performance across the rounds, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.)
- 1st Place Winner – Liu, Ernest
- 2nd Place Winner – Ngan, Ming Chun Jason
- 3rd Place Winner – Kim, JUAN
- Female Champion – Lu, Sonja Antoinette*
The U11 section was a tight race at the top boards, with three players tied at 5 points going into the last round. TCA student Yang Shangyi emerged victorious with 6/7 points, followed closely by Jean Cholvy, also with 6/7 points but with inferior tie-breaks, and Chan Aiden Chi Ho with 5.5 points. The best female player was awarded to Chan Josephine Hei Yin.
- 1st Place Winner – Yang, Shangyi*
- 2nd Place Winner – Cholvy, Jean*
- 3rd Place Winner – Chan, Aiden Chi Ho
- Female Champion – Chan, Josephine Hei Yin*
The U18 section was played over 5 rounds with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment. Undefeated newcomer Rithvik Subramaniam won the section with 4/5 points. Tied for 2nd and 3rd were TCA students Marissa Lee and Han Choi, with Marissa winning the tie-breaks.
- 1st Place Winner – Raja Subramaniam, Rithvik
- 2nd Place Winner – Lee, Seo Yoon Marissa*
- 3rd Place Winner – Choi, Han*
The tournament culminated in an awards ceremony where participants were recognized not only for their performance but also for their sportsmanship. Trophies were awarded to the top players in each category, along with special recognition for outstanding contributions and efforts.
The TCA Novice Tournament 2024 successfully fulfilled its mission of promoting chess among young players. It provided a platform for novices to compete, learn, and grow in a supportive environment. The event not only highlighted the talent of emerging players but also reinforced the values of camaraderie and sportsmanship within the chess community. As the tournament concluded, participants left with newfound skills, friendships, and a deeper love for the game, setting the stage for future tournaments in the coming years.
Don’t miss our next tournament in December – The TCA End of Year Tournament 2024 on Dec 8!
*Students who are under the coaching of the TCA team.
