The North-East heats of the Scottish Junior Chess Team Championship were held at Northfield Academy on Saturday 2^nd December.                                                                                                 Twenty-two teams competed in the three sections – P5 & Under, Primary, and Secondary.

The heat of the Primary Teams event looked as if it could be the closest competition in many years, and so it proved. Four teams were separated by a single point at the conclusion of this seasons N.E. heat. Newmachar finished on 7 points, just ahead of Robert Gordon’s, Quarryhill (runners-up in last seasons final), and surprise qualifiers Middlefield, all of whom finished on 6 points. These four teams compete in an all-play-all second round heat in February, with the group winner being allocated one of four places in the SJC Final.

St Machar Academy Chess Team (pictured above right) was easy winners of the Secondary heat, scoring 100%. This team produced a strong performance last season to finish first equal in the final, only to lose out. Having reached the final four again, and with the same pool of players to choose from, they will be hopeful of going one better this season.