Player of the Year 2007

The English Chess Federation is pleased to announce the winner of the 2007 Player of the Year Award. The award goes to England's youngest ever Grandmaster - David Howell - who polled almost twice as many votes as runner-up Gawain Jones. Both have achieved the Grandmaster Title during the past year - and this has been recognised by the voters. Last year's winner Jovanka Houska was placed third.

David's chess has made great strides forwards during the past couple of years as he manages to maintain a balance between his academic studies and top-level play. This award is richly deserved.

Peter Wilson, English Chess Federation Marketing Director, said "We frequently say that the future of English Chess is with our Juniors - a future which has now arrived".