Kavala, Greece 16th – 27th June 2014
| U17 Girls – Katherine Shepherd |
| U15 – Paul Calderon |
| U15 – Joseph Dalton Joseph learned the basic rules of chess from his grandfather Terry and got seriously interested in chess on moving schools to Newcastle Royal Grammar School in Year 3, where he came under the inspirational influence of his coach, Paul Bielby. Joseph is very aware that without Paul’s guidance and his grandfather’s influence, he wouldn’t have gotten anywhere with his chess, particularly since his parents don’t play! Joseph loves many other sports and athletics, especially football and high jump. Joseph attends Newcastle Royal Grammar School Junior School, Newcastle |
 U15 – Daniel Gallagher Daniel was introduced to chess at the age of six by his father, and joined his junior school chess club at the age of eight. He became Essex U11 Champion 2012 and Essex U14 Champion 2013. Daniel was Runner-Up in the U14 British Championships 2013 and 3rd in the U13 British Championships 2013. Daniel represented England in the European Schools Championships in Serbia in 2013 and in the Robinson Cup 2013 in Cardiff. Daniel cannot wait to represent England again in Greece this year, and would like to thank his parents for travelling with him to tournaments both domestically and internationally, his wider family and friends for their encouragement, his school for their support, all associated with Essex Junior Chess and Maldon Chess Club, and, last but not least, GM Nick Pert who has helped him develop his chess in leaps and bounds. In addition to chess, Daniel enjoys football, tennis and badminton. Daniel attends King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford. |
 U15 – Taran Jina I was introduced to chess by my dad when I was 7 and soon started beating him. I then joined Harpenden Junior Chess Club, and soon after, I began to play tournaments and as I improved I started to play for Hertfordshire. My main achievements include representing England in the World Schools Chess Championships last year in Greece, and playing for England U12s with the National Chess Junior Squad in Prague 2012. I was also part of the Herts team who were crowned U18 National chess champions in the same year. As well as playing chess, I also help to coach beginners and assist at tournaments for Chess Masters in Harpenden. I enjoy karate, in which I am a black belt, swimming and playing jazz piano. I play as much sport as I can, particularly football and cricket. I would to thank my parents, Asha (my sister), the rest of my very supportive family, my chess coaches, and the wider chess community that have supported and encouraged me. I would also like to thank Mr. Henshall the headteacher and my teachers at Roundwood Park School, and all my friends for helping and supporting me. |
 U15 – Yang-Jian Zhou I started learning chess in primary school and have enjoyed it ever since. I love playing chess as it is very intriguing, challenging and fun at the same time. I have learned from experience at tournaments in the UK and in international tournaments. I am very proud to have a chance to represent England in the European School Chess Championships. I would like to thank IM Jovanka Houska for her coaching and encouragement. I would also like to thank Whitgift School for supporting me. Finally I would like to thank my family for their constant love, appreciation, encouragement, support and help. |
 U15 Girls – Marianne Hauer I am 13 years old, and I began to really get into chess when I qualified for the UK Chess Challenge in Year 3. I won the U13 girls Silver Plate South and am really excited and enthusiastic about going to Greece. My other hobbies are football and netball. |
 U15 Girls – Zoe Varney I am 14 and go to Headington School, Oxford. I started playing chess when I was 8 and first started to get into chess when I qualified for the UK Chess Challenge Megafinal and Gigafinal when I was 9. I also enjoy school, reading, dance and trampolining and I love animals. I would like to thank my parents, my brother (Daniel) and my amazing cats Daisy and Casper for being so supportive. I would also like to thank my coach IM Adam Hunt. I am looking forward to playing in the European Schools and European Youth Chess Championships! |
 U13 – Matthew Forster Since learning chess at school, Matthew has been a regular at both Horsham Chess Club and Sussex Junior Chess events, and would like to thank both for the lessons and the fun times as well as the chance to play for their teams and enjoy some very memorable events! As well as chess, Matthew is a regular competitor in basketball, football and judo – and is grateful for the support of his friends at Horsham Hawks, Heron Way Olympic, and Kin Ryu. Matthew attends The Forest School in West Sussex. |
 U13 – James Golding James is 12 years old and the eldest of three brothers representing England. He started playing chess when he was 8 years old after being given a chess set for Christmas. James plays for the Ashtead, Ealing Juniors, 4NCL and Surrey teams. He represented England in the World Schools Chess Championships 2013. James takes part in many other sporting activities including badminton and tennis and is a keen saxophone player. |
 U13 – Dominic Klingher My name is Dominic Klingher. I was first introduced to chess when I was three years old (it was to mainly stop me from distracting my brothers whilst they were doing their homework). I attend St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Hendon, London. Other things I like apart from chess are: football, (I support Tottenham Hotspur Football Club) tennis, mathematics, video games and card games. I enjoy travelling to other countries and have recently come back from a school trip to China. I am very excited to visit Greece this year and represent my country in chess. I would like to thank Robert Willmoth, Peter Poobalasingham and all the other coaches that have helped me. Finally, I would like to thank my family for supporting me all the way. |
 U13 – Karthik Saravanan I have been actively playing chess for the last two years. My first big win was the London Junior Minor Under 10 in 2011. Recently I have won the best Under 13 player in London Junior Major Under 14 in 2013. I have won a lot of junior tournaments in Norfolk. I would like to thank all my club members particularly Mr. Warren Kingston from Lowestoft Chess Club and I would also like to thank Mr. Stephen Orton from Norwich Junior Chess Club for all their support. Apart from chess, my other interests are playing cricket and tennis. I also play the guitar. |
| U13 Girls – Carmel Barwick |
 U13 Girls – Asha Jina I was taught to play chess by my dad at the age of 5, after which I joined Harpenden Junior Chess Club. Soon I began to play in tournaments and for the Hertfordshire team. I have previously represented England at the European Youth Chess Championships 2011 in Bulgaria and last year at the World Schools Chess Championships in Greece, both of which helped me develop my chess further. I now assist in coaching beginners at Chess Masters in Harpenden and aside from chess, I also enjoy playing the piano, training and teaching lower grades in karate as I am a black belt and doing jigsaw puzzles. I would like to thank my parents, my brother Taran, my chess coaches, the teachers and headteacher Mr Henshall, at Roundwood Park School who have supported me, and everyone that has helped me to develop as a chess player. |
 U13 Girls – Elizaveta Sheremetyeva Elizaveta started playing chess at 7 in Russia and has been enjoying it since then. She also likes horse riding and tennis. Elizaveta attends Oxford High School. |
 U11 – Amardip Ahluwalia Amardip has now been playing chess for just over two years. After taking part in the ESCC 2013 Amardip has continued to enjoy chess at every level. Amardip is extremely grateful for all the fantastic support he has received from his school, Copthorne Prep, his club, Crowborough, his big brother, Gurdip, his mum and most of all his coach, Jonathan Tuck. |
 U11 – Omeet Atara Omeet started to play chess at the age of six and it soon became an obsession! He has won a number of tournaments including the South of England. He is coached by Andrew Martin IM. Omeet regularly plays for the school team, Hampshire and Sandhurst Chess Club. He has represented England at World Schools in 2013 and finished 2nd at the 2013 British Championship. In his (limited) spare time he enjoys all sport, reading and is an avid Manchester United fan. Omeet would like to thank Sandhurst Chess Club, Yateley Manor School, Andrew Martin and of course his family for their endless support. Omeet attends Yateley Manor School. |
 U11 – Tim Lewis I am 11 years old. I enjoy chess and football. I have played in lots of chess tournaments. I would like to thank Sarah Hegarty, Lorin D’Costa, Angela Eyton, Barnet Knights and Midland Monarchs. I go to UCS Junior Branch and will be joining the Senior School in September. |
 U11 – Alex Golding Alex is 10 years old and the middle of three brothers representing England. He started playing chess against his brother James when he was 6 years old. His successes include the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge National U11 Champion in 2012 when he was 8 years old. Alex represented England in the World Schools , European Youth and World Youth Chess Championships in 2013. Alex plays for Ashtead, CCF, Ealing Juniors, 4NCL, Surrey and Wey Valley U11 team. He is a keen tennis player and takes part in many other sporting activities. |
 U11 – Aditya Munshi Aditya Munshi, known as Adi, born on leap year’s day, a student of Nottingham High Junior School; learnt chess from the age of 5 and has never looked back. Aditya works very hard at his game and loves to play attacking chess! He is proud to represent his country. |
 U11 – Riyaan Yesudian Riyaan Paul Yesudian was introduced to chess by his grandfather when he was aged 6. Since then he has grown from strength to strength, winning numerous local and national events. His notable achievements are finishing joint first in the under 11 section of the Challengers A group in Loughborough in August 2013, joint winner of the EPSCA rapidplay tournament in Liverpool in January 2014 and winner of the South of England under 11 section in January 2014. His chess skills have been slowly honed over the last four years by his coach in Chester, Mr Graham Bromley. He has been inspired by his older brother, Rohan, who has taught him the value of hard work. His other interests include playing the piano, bowling leg spin for his cricket team and playing occasional badminton with his friends and family. His number one passion is video games. |
 U11 Girls – Laura Davidson My name is Laura Davidson and I am 10 years old. I have been playing chess since 2011. My introduction came through the Wey Valley tournaments and UK Chess Challenge. Since then I have played internationally at the European and World Chess championships. In 2013, I won the under 10 Girl’s English Grand Prix title and more importantly, the under 10, British Girl’s title. I would like to thank Mrs Kate Hegarty, Mrs Pat Armstrong, Mike Basman, Nick Pert, Sarah Hegarty and Jonathan Tuck for all their support, which is very much appreciated. I also enjoying singing and acting, and performed earlier this year at Wembley. I play the violin and piano, and swim at my local club. |
 U9 – William Golding William is 8 years old and the youngest of three brothers representing England. He started playing chess against his brothers Alex and James when he was just 4 years old. William is an U8 British Champion and represented England at the World Schools Chess Championships in 2013. He plays for the Ealing Juniors, CCF, 4NCL, Surrey and Wey Valley teams. William has a keen sense of humour, loves tennis and football. |
 U9 – Ranesh Ratnesan Ranesh started playing chess when he was 7. He enjoys playing rugby, football, hockey and the violin. Ranesh attends King’s College Junior School, Wimbledon. |
 U9 – Luca van der Lubbe I am 9 years old. I started playing against my older brother Ruben when I was just 4. At 6 I joined the chess club at my local primary school and have continued playing since. I play for my school in Hampstead, The Hall, and I am part of the Barnet team that was last month crowned U9 National Chess Champions. Besides chess I enjoy playing football, rugby and tennis. It’s great to be in Greece for the European Championships and I hope to make the best out of it. Thanks to my coaches Tony Niccoli and Angela Eyton and to my parents and brothers for their continuous support. |
 U9 – Harvey Zhang Harvey is a Year 4 pupil, who learned the rules of chess when he was 6 years old. Since then, his interest and passion in the game has grown – he takes part in tournaments when he can, and his results are improving consistently. His invitation to this event is one of his biggest achievements yet! He would like to thank all those who have supported him, in particular, his coach Ken Coates. |
 U9 Girls – Nilomi Desai I was introduced to chess at the age of 7 in my School Chess Club. I enjoy playing chess and am beginning to cope with the wins and losses associated with the game. I am a member of Wey Valley Chess (Surrey) team and have won a number of regional and county championships. I was awarded the Best Under 9 Girl in London Junior Chess Championships and also awarded the 2014 Girls’ Champion (U9) in English Youth Chess Championship Grand Prix recently. I enjoy reading, swimming and painting in my spare time. I currently attend Lady Eleanor Holles Junior School in Year 4. |
 U7 – Savin Dias |
 Coach – Lawrence Cooper Lawrence is based in Staffordshire and has been a self employed chess coach since February 2008 after taking redundancy from his civil service job. He is an ECF accredited coach with CRB clearance. He coached at both the 2007 & 2008 Glorney & Faber Cups and was Head of Delegation and a coach at the 2008 World Junior, 2009 & 2010 World Youth, 2011 European Youth, 2012 World Schools & World Junior. His best known private pupil is Thomas Pym whom he coached for seven years. As a player he achieved the title of International Master in 2000 and has 30 years of playing experience both nationally and internationally. He represented England on board two at The Mind Sport Games in Beijing in October 2008. |
 Coach – Andrew Martin FIDE Senior Trainer, International Master. Veteran of many ECF trips. Current ECF Manager of Schools, Junior Clubs and Counties. You Tube Channel here – http://www.youtube.com/user/YMChessMaster |
 Coach – Meri Grigoryan [pic by Ray Morris-Hill] Represented England in the European Women’s Team Championship, World Olympiad and World Mind Sport Games. Manager and Coach of West London Junior Chess Club since 2001. Coached Wey Valley U9 & U11 teams during EPSCA finals in 2000s. British Ladies Blitz Champion in 2004 and British Grand Prixette 2003-04. |
 Coach – Jovanka Houska Current Commonwealth Ladies Champion, former British Women’s Champion (2008-2012) and former ECF Manager of Women’s Chess. |
 Coach – Glenn Flear [pic by John Upham] I have been a GM since 1987 and am based in Montpellier in the south of France. I am married to a five-times French Women’s Champion and have two teenage children. Apart from playing and writing about chess, I have been actively involved in coaching for a number of years. My first experiences of official ECF trips, such as the European and World Youth Championships, go back to the 1990s. |
 Coach – Neil McDonald Neil became an IM in 1986 and a Grandmaster in 1996. After winning eleven all-play-all tournaments during the years 1994-98, he semi-retired from the international circuit. Since then he has coached many of the top young English players, including David Howell and Gawain Jones. Neil has written 34 books on chess strategy, tactics and theory as well as biographies of famous players. |
 Coach – Yang-Fan Zhou Yang-Fan became an IM at the age of 16 in 2011 and is the current British U21 Champion (2013). He has represented England in many international events and finished 6th place in the World Youth U18 Championships, Brazil 2011. Yang-Fan has coached a number of top English juniors and is now studying at Cambridge University. |