The first part of the Junior Chess Championship 2007, kindly sponsored by APS Bank and dedicated to children under 12, came to an end last week at the Main hall of St.Elias College in St.Venera.

Thirty two participants took part in the two parallel tournaments that were held in this year's edition.

In the under 12 category the outright winner, with five straight wins, was Jean Luke Mangion.

Jean Luke, who was thus declared Malta U/12 Champion 2007, is a student attending St. Aloysius College and hails from Pembroke.

Second and third placed respectively were Jean Pierre Xuereb and Justin Xuereb.

Best female trophy was won by Clarissa Cremona who was also joint fourth overall in the final standings.

In the second competition, 18 players, made up of U/10 and U/8 participants, played for two National titles and a number of other awards.

The U/10 Champion title was won by Jamie Farrugia of Birzebbugia. Jamie is a student at the Birzebbuga primary school and a chess student at the newly established Chess Academy of St Benedicts College.

This is a remarkable achievement for Jamie who managed four wins and dropped only half a point from five games.

In second place with four points was Adrian Cutajar followed by Claude Spiteri Belcher on three and a half.

The first ever U/8 Chess Champion title was won by Miguel Sacco of Kirkop with Andrew Thake and Malcolm Vella Vidal in second and third place respectively for the U/8 category.

The prize giving was presided by Mr. Raymond Azzopardi an official of the Malta Chess Federation who were running the event.

Mr. Azzopardi thanked the College rector, Fr.Charles Mallia, for hosting the Junior Championship and the organising group for the good work. He also thanked the parents and all the participants for their contributions to make this first ever competition such a success.

The competition director was N.Grima

Junior players are reminded that the U/14s and U/20 Category will commence on Monday at the same venue.