The Aberdeen heat of the SJC Chess for Kicks Tournament, due to take place on Saturday, January 20, has been cancelled and will now take place on Saturday, February 17, at the same venue, Northfield Academy.

An additional ‘Open’ event is taking place on Saturday, February 3^rd, at Northfield Academy.

Aberdeen Chess Academy and The North East Junior Chess Association are jointly staging an event to honour the late Keith Hoban, who died on 31^st October last year.

Keith was a teacher at Nairn Academy, and ran chess clubs at the Academy and also Millbank Primary School. His dedication and commitment to young players in Nairn enabled them to rise to the top in Scottish events. Millbank Primary won the Scottish Primary Teams event under his guidance, and the P5 & Under Team also won the national P5 Team event. Keith had superb coaching methods and a relaxed style that endeared him to everyone who knew him. He travelled frequently with his young chess protégés, particularly to events held is the Aberdeen area. Several of his talented squad went on to become Scottish Junior International players. Keith’s passing is a great loss to adult friends and students alike, and he will be sadly missed.

As a mark of respect, an annual trophy – The Keith Hoban Memorial Trophy – is to be competed for each year, with the inaugural tournament taking place on Feb 3. It is an ‘Open’ event for primary or secondary students.

In addition, and as part of the same tournament, there is an event for less experienced players, North East Novice Shield.

Details of these, and other forthcoming events, will soon be added to this site.