♟️ About Hampshire Junior Chess Association

Hampshire Junior Chess Association, commonly known as HJCA, coordinates and promotes junior chess across Hampshire, England. The association supports children and young people aged 18 or under who live in Hampshire or attend school within the county. Its work connects young players with tournaments, county teams, chess clubs, school programs, coaching opportunities, and other forms of organized competition.

HJCA was originally founded in 1975. After a period of inactivity, the association resumed its work in 2017 as a tribute to Joe French, a long-standing supporter of junior chess in Hampshire. Since then, HJCA has rebuilt a structured program of events and representative-team activities for young players throughout the county.

The association is affiliated with the Hampshire Chess Association. It is also a member of the English Primary Schools Chess Association and the Southern Counties Chess Union. Moreover, the English Chess Federation recognizes HJCA as a junior association. In July 2024, HJCA also received member-association status, which gave it the right to be represented at English Chess Federation council meetings.

🏆 Junior Tournaments and Chess Events

HJCA organizes and supports a varied program of over-the-board and online chess events. Its activities include junior congresses, rapidplay competitions, FIDE-rated blitz tournaments, school events, national qualification tournaments, and monthly online team battles.

Among its recurring events are the Hampshire Junior Open Congress, the Hampshire UK Chess Challenge Megafinal, and the Hampshire qualifier for the EJCOA National Junior Championships. Therefore, young players can enter competitions that suit different ages, ratings, and levels of experience.

The Hampshire Open Junior FIDE Blitz has become another important event in the association’s program. The 2026 edition takes place in Winchester and is open to juniors aged 18 or under, regardless of where they live or attend school. The tournament features 15 rounds of FIDE- and ECF-rated blitz chess. John Upham serves as both tournament director and chief arbiter.

🎓 Schools, Clubs and Player Development

The association aims to expand chess in schools and junior clubs throughout Hampshire. It maintains information about school chess activities, local junior clubs, coaches, and tournament opportunities. In addition, HJCA helps connect schools with chess tutors and experienced organizers.

HJCA also manages and supports county junior teams. These include teams for younger age groups that compete in English Primary Schools Chess Association events. The association provides young players with opportunities to represent Hampshire and gain experience in inter-county competition.

The organization works with coaches, arbiters, school coordinators, parents, volunteers, and local chess clubs. Furthermore, HJCA maintains a formal safeguarding policy and appoints a Child Protection Officer. This structure helps the association provide a safe and supportive environment for junior chess activities.

👥 Association Leadership

Grandmaster Nick Pert serves as president of Hampshire Junior Chess Association, while Kim Shek is chairman and schools coordinator. John Upham serves as secretary, website and social-media manager, equipment curator, and HJCA delegate to the Hampshire Chess Association.

John Upham is also an English Chess Federation-accredited coach and an active chess organizer. He directs several HJCA competitions and manages tournament information, entries, results, and official communication. Lucas Piecha serves as the association’s chief coach, while Maha Chandar is treasurer, Child Protection Officer, and organizer of the Hampshire Megafinal.