AS the National Junior Chess Championship 2026 ended, defending champions FM Jaden Shaw and Amy Stephenson retained their titles.

Amy Stephenson, competing in her final National Junior (Under-20) Chess Championship, secured her third-consecutive female title with seven wins, one draw and one loss. She finished ahead of WCM Kaia Gayle and Kaity Gayle, who placed second and third, respectively, on tiebreak. Emilia-Rose Leake was fourth, followed by Victoria Aung in fifth.

FM Jaden Shaw won his fourth-straight National Junior Absolute Chess Championship title with eight wins and one draw. Jaden Foreshaw finished second, while Rushawn Robinson took third on tiebreak ahead of WCM Gabriella Watson in fourth. CM Nathaniel Hope completed the top five.

Tournament chair FM Warren Elliott said the championships were a success, with 40 of the island’s top juniors competing. The Absolute section featured 24 players while 16 competed in the female section, making for a competitive event.

The tournament was contested over nine rounds from March 14 to 22.