Delancey UK Schools’ Chess Challenge
The Delancey UK Schools’ Chess Challenge (UKCC) is one of the largest junior chess tournaments in the world and a major highlight in the UK junior chess calendar. Running annually since 1996, it has seen over 1 million children participate – including several who went on to become grandmasters!
Whether your child is a beginner or a rising star, this competition offers a fun and structured way to develop their skills across multiple stages.
👧 Who Can Take Part?
This event is open to UK-based juniors who are 18 years old or younger. All abilities are welcome, from beginners to national champions.
🧩 How the Competition Works – Stages Explained
The tournament progresses through four main stages, each one more challenging than the last:
1. Schools’ Stage (January–April)
- Played within your child’s school or club
- Great introduction to tournament chess in a friendly environment
2. Megafinals (March–June)
- Regional events or online options
- 6 rounds, 15 mins + 10 secs per move time control
- Online Megafinals take place in June
3. Gigafinals (June–September)
- National-level events: Scottish, Northern, Southern, and Online
- In-person Gigafinals are one-day events; the online version is two days
- Time control: 15 mins + 10 secs per move (online: 10 mins + 5 secs per move)
4. Terafinal (18–19 October)
- The grand final with the UK’s strongest juniors
- 11-round “All Play All” format across 5 age groups
- Held at the prestigious Blenheim Palace
Optional Side Events:
- Blitz Championship (3 mins + 2 secs per move time control)
- Variants Grand Prix – fun chess variants with prizes
🔢 Age Groups
Players compete in five categories based on their age on 31 August 2024:
- Under 8
- Under 10
- Under 12
- Under 14
- Under 18
Players stay in the same group throughout the year.
✅ Do You Need to Qualify?
- You no longer need to qualify via a school stage – any child can enter a Megafinal directly!
- To move to later stages (Gigafinal, Challengers, Terafinal), players must qualify based on scores.
🟢 Key Qualification Rules:
| Stage | How to Qualify |
| Gigafinal | Score 3.5+ points at Megafinal or finish in top 3 boys/girls |
| Challengers | Score 5+ points at Gigafinal or finish in top 3 |
| Terafinal | Top players from Gigafinals and Challengers qualify |
Players who qualify early can still play in other Megafinals or Gigafinals, but they won’t take away qualification spots from others.
📅 2025 Tournament Dates (Key Stages)
| Stage | Dates |
| Schools’ Stage | Jan – April |
| Megafinals | March – June |
| Gigafinals | June – Sept |
| Challengers | 11–12 October |
| Terafinal | 18–19 October |
| Online Blitz Final | 21 July |
Optional events take place in June/July on selected weekdays/weekends.
📍 Locations
| Stage | Where? |
| Schools’ Stage | Your child’s school or club |
| Megafinals | Various regional UK venues or online |
| Gigafinals | In-person: Stirling, Manchester, Esher; Online via lichess.org |
| Challengers | Mercure Daventry Court Hotel |
| Terafinal | Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire |
🎁 Prizes
- Medals, trophies, certificates at early stages
- Cash prizes for Blitz and Variants events
- Recognition for top performers at every level
💷 Entry Fees
| Stage | Entry Fee |
| In-person Megafinal | £20–£36 (varies by venue) |
| Online Megafinal | £19 per event (or £35 for full access to 2 events + extras) |
| Other Stages | Prices TBC – see organiser’s site for latest info |
📬 Contact & Useful Info
- Website: https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/enter-the-challenge/
- Email: admin@ukchess.co.uk
- Phone: 07776 455144
ℹ️ Tip: Tournament dates may change – always check the official website for the most up-to-date info.
⭐ Rate This Tournament
If your child has taken part in this event before, we’d love your feedback!
Leave a review and rate your experience below to help other parents learn more about this fantastic competition.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Tournament dates, fees, and formats are subject to change. Always check the organiser’s official website for the latest information.
Reviews
Rating summary
Rating per category
Post a review
Detailed reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.