Dartford Juniors are the 2026 KCCA Foundation Cup champions — and the first team ever to lift the trophy.
On Saturday 30th May, our squad beat Petts Wood & Orpington 2½–1½ in a tense final to write their names into Kent chess history. The Foundation Cup is a four-board team competition with an average team rating limit of 1100, and this was its inaugural season. The trophy is already engraved: Dartford Juniors — 2026.
For a club that only started competing in county-level team events recently, this is a landmark moment. These young players showed composure, fighting spirit, and quality chess throughout the campaign — finishing top of the Metropolitan Kent group with only one draw all season before winning the semi-final and final.
Thursday 30th April 2026
Dartford Juniors made a statement in the semi-final with a dominant performance against Medway. Aarush won on board 1 against Greg Wladyka, Saurish secured the point on board 2 against Jadon Terry, and Aarav completed a convincing win on board 4 against Franco Marinelli. Hari drew a tough game on board 3 against Mason Kane to round off a 3½–½ victory. The Medway captain graciously congratulated the team, commenting: "A deserved win for them."
Saturday 30th May 2026
The final was a nerve-shredding afternoon. Aarav struck first with a clinical win on board 4 against Rupinder Kaur, putting Dartford Juniors ahead. Hari then lost a hard-fought game on board 3 against Bihaan Dutta, levelling the match. Aarush had a winning position on board 1 against Avisha Raj but accepted a draw, leaving the score at 1½–1½ with everything resting on the final game. A draw on the last board would have given Petts Wood & Orpington the title on board count — all the pressure on one player.
Saurish held his nerve on board 2, defeating Edward Graveston to win the match and seal the cup for Dartford Juniors. A moment none of the players or their families will forget.
The four players who represented Dartford Juniors in the final:
- Aarush Shankar (Board 1)
- Saurish Pandey (Board 2)
- Hari Jain (Board 3)
- Aarav Yadav (Board 4)
Luke Hutchins and Naksh Inani also represented Dartford Juniors during the earlier rounds of the competition and played important roles in getting the team to the final.
Every one of them should be incredibly proud — the first name on a brand new trophy, and proof of what chess in Dartford is building.
Head coach Miroslav Danov will be raising the bar for next season, entering the squad in a higher competition while a second Dartford Juniors team defends the Foundation Cup title. The future of chess in Dartford is bright — and this is just the beginning.
In Aarush's game on board 1, a brilliant combination was available that would have given him a decisive advantage. Black's king is still in the centre — can you spot how White exploits it?
**1. Nd5!** — a powerful centralisation that threatens to sacrifice material to rip open Black's uncastled king.
The game could continue: 1...Nd7 2. Bb5 h6 3. Ne3 a6 4. Nf5 axb5 5. Nxd6+ Bxd6 6. Bxd6 Qc7 7. Qxg7 and Black has no defence. White's pieces flood in against the exposed king.
A beautiful combination — and a lesson for next time!
Never miss a story. Subscribe to our daily newsletter.
