Lothian Primary Schools Chess League (LPSCL)

The LPSCL run both individual and team chess events for Lothian Primary School pupils and gives support to school chess in the Lothians. We are affiliated to Chess Scotland and our goals are to promote children playing chess in schools throughout Lothians. Junior chess is active in Lothians and there are many opportunities for children to participate.

What does the LPSCL do?

Team events

We run 3 team chess events per year at Wester Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh (November, January and April). Currently, 2 groups of 8 school teams compete with the results from the first 2 events resulting in movement of teams between the 2 groups. On the final day, each group competes to win the Lothian Shield or the Pentland shield. This is a very flexible format which the children enjoy and new teams are very welcome at any time!

Individual events

We run 2 individual chess events per year at Wester Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh (November and March). The November event is an Open event and has sections for Secondary/graded individuals, ungraded (novice) P6/P7 and all P5 and Under children. This event is able to accommodate children of all ages and abilities. In March, we run the Lothians Primary School Championship. The children placed 1-8 in this tournament gain automatic selection for the Lothians primary school team (see below). Trophies and medals are generously awarded and some parents go home with a bottle of wine!

Junior Chess Training

With the generous assistance of Chess Edinburgh and Edinburgh chess club (the second oldest club in the world!), we organise junior chess training for children. Selection is based upon a recommendation form the local school organiser and training is currently delivered by a Scottish international player who also runs a primary school chess club.

Supporting School Chess Clubs

Although we are not able to offer coaching for clubs we are keen to support the establishment of new school chess clubs e.g. loan of chess equipment etc.

Please contact members of the LPSCL committee listed for further information on chess in Lothians and check out the Chess Scotland website schools page for a wealth of information. e.g. ‘chess in education’, advice on running a school chess club, junior tournament information and reports etc.

Committee Member	Email	Telephone
Jeremy Hughes	jeremy.hughes@ed.ac.uk	0131 667 3934
David Taylor	dykingdave@drystanes.demon.co.uk	0131 447 6713