The London Junior Chess Championship Charitable Trust

The London Junior Chess Championship Charitable Trust (Charity number: 1129010) is a UK nonprofit organisation dedicated to the promotion and organisation of junior chess competitions in London. It is best known for administering the London Junior Chess Championships (LJCC), an annual series of tournaments for young chess players that has been held since 1924.

History and Purpose

The LJCC originated in 1924 as the London Boys Championship, making it one of the longest-running junior chess competitions in the United Kingdom. Since its inception, the event has expanded and evolved to include players of both genders and to cover multiple age groups. The Trust's primary aim is to foster the development of chess skills in children and young people, encouraging competitive play and sportsmanship in a structured environment.

Competition Structure

The London Junior Chess Championships awards titles across seven age categories:

• Under 8
• Under 10
• Under 12
• Under 14
• Under 16
• Under 18
• Under 21

For the younger age groups—Under 8, Under 10, and Under 12—players must qualify to participate in the finals, either through a qualifying tournament or by their rating. Older age groups do not require qualification. Age eligibility is determined as of midnight on August 31 of the championship year.

Some events, specifically the Under 10, Under 12, and Under 14 categories, are divided into two sections: Major and Minor. The Major section determines the official championship titles. Entry to the Major section is based on rating or qualifying tournament performance, while the Minor section provides opportunities for players below certain rating thresholds or those who narrowly missed qualifying for the Major section. Players may transfer from Minor to Major if their results meet qualification criteria during the competition.

Governance

The London Junior Chess Championship Charitable Trust is managed by a board of trustees, including:

• Chair: Nell Butler
• Congress Manager: Angela Eyton
• Treasurer: Ezra Lutton
• Other Trustees: Neville Belinfante, Arnold Lutton, Marc Shaw, and Tony Niccoli

These individuals oversee the organisation, funding, and smooth running of the championships and related activities, ensuring adherence to the Trust's charitable objectives.

Significance

The LJCC serves as a key platform for nurturing young chess talent in London and has contributed to the broader development of junior chess in the UK. Its long history and continued popularity underscore its importance in the chess community, complementing other national and regional junior chess initiatives.

This summary reflects the charitable Trust’s focus on promoting competitive junior chess and supporting the growth of young players through well-established, age-appropriate tournaments[1][2][4].

[1] https://rjcc.org.uk/junior-tournaments/ljcc-london-junior-chess-championship [2] https://www.ljcc.co.uk/about [3] https://chessacademy.uk/junior-chess-tournaments-a-guide-for-parents/ [4] https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/uk-junior-chess-organisations-and-tournaments/ [5] https://www.englishchess.org.uk/100-year-history-of-the-british-chess-federation/3/