Playing for England and the English Chess Federation

The English Chess Federation is sending 30 of the top chess players in the country to represent England at the European Youth Chess Championships, 16 – 26 August 2012 in Prague, Czech Republic. More information on this championship tournament may be found at http://www.eycc2012.eu/

To read the series of posts from this tournament – https://www.englishchess.org.uk/Juniors/series/prague-2012/

England’s Team for the European Youth Chess Championships, Prague, Czech Republic

U18 Boys – Yang-Fan Zhou Yang-Fan attends the Whitgift School, South Croydon. He’d like to thank the Whitgift School, Mike Basman, Mrs Armstrong, Roger Emerson and Charlie Cooke.

U18 Boys – Adrian Archer-Lock Adrian began playing chess competitively in 2003 in the Saturday Afternoon Events organised by Berkshire Junior Chess Association, and in a new chess club and team at Polehampton Junior School, both still going strong today. Adrian is a regular in the Berkshire Junior County chess team, with a high point being winning the ECF Under 18 championships in 2010, a year when his school team won the Yateley Manor National Schools trophy. He has competed at the British Championships each year since Scarborough 2004, winning the British Under 16 championship at Canterbury in 2010. Adrian qualified for the National Chess Junior Squad in 2005, and enjoyed the experience of chess trips to the Czech Republic and Poland. Selected to play in the England Under 16 team at the 2010 Olympiad in Turkey he scored 7/10, and greatly enjoyed being part of the four player team, well led by coach Nick Nixon. He is delighted to have the honour of returning to the Czech Republic to compete in the Under 18 European Chess Championships. Adrian attends Wellington College, Crowthorne. He’d like to thank the BJCA, Maidenhead Chess Club, Keith Trower, Paula Montie and David Walker.

U18 Boys – James Foster Before receiving English Chess Federation selections James competed regularly in international chess tournaments in countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, Guernsey and Dubai. After winning the British U15 Championship title in Liverpool in 2008, James was delighted to represent England in the European Youth Chess Championships, U16 section, in Italy in 2009. The following year he was honoured to captain the four player England team at the World U16 Chess Olympiad in Turkey. In 2011 James played for England in the U18 section of the European Youth Chess Championships in Bulgaria and is looking forward to representing England again in the European Youth in Prague. James enjoys fencing and playing badminton at club level. He wishes to thank the ECF for giving him these opportunities to represent England and all in the chess world who have helped and encouraged his development as a competitor. James attends Aylesbury Grammar School and particularly wishes to extend his thanks to Mr Lehec, the headmaster, for constant support over the years.

U18 Boys – Samuel Franklin I am 17 years old and attend Dulwich College in south east London. I have enjoyed playing chess since learning the rules around 10 years ago. Achievements to date, with which I am particularly pleased, include winning the U13 World Schools, playing for the Surrey team that won the National County Championships and making an IM norm in the recent 4NCL season. Presently I am looking forward to the European Youths in August. Outside of chess, I enjoy playing and watching sports – especially football; reading and TV. I would like to thank my family, Dulwich College, Crystal Palace chess club, Dulwich chess club and the Barbican 4NCL team.

U18 Boys – Gordon Scott Gordon joined Norwich Junior Chess Club and is now a member of the Norfolk and Norwich Chess Club, one of the oldest chess clubs in England. He would like to thank Stephen Orton and Norwich Junior Chess Club.

U16 Boys – Martin Oliver

U16 Boys – Patrick Smith I am 14 years old and attend the Judd School in Tonbridge, Kent. I am a keen sportsman, representing my school at rugby and cricket as well as playing football for a local team. I enjoy playing the piano and also manage to fit chess into my busy schedule! I first started playing chess at the age of 7 and have, over the years, played in a number of county games and individual tournaments. Highlights of my chess career include playing for the National Junior Chess Team and winning the U14 section of the London Junior Chess Championships in 2011. I would like to thank Amherst Junior School, the KJCA and Laurence Ball for helping me develop my chess.

U16 Girls – Amy Hoare Amy learnt to play chess when she was 5 years old, winning the under 8 prize at her first tournament. She qualified for the National Chess Junior Squad at the Under 11 trial and has since travelled widely with her chess, competing in Guernsey, the Czech Republic, Holland, Poland and Italy. Highlights include: competing in the 2008 European Youth Championships and the 2010 London Chess Classic (Women’s Invitational), and qualifying for the British Championships at the Women’s International Masters Tournament in Uxbridge. Over the last year she has helped to coach the Sussex Girls under 11 Team, accompanying them to the National Final in Nottingham where they won the 2012 National Title. Amy is a pupil at Farlington School in Horsham. She is passionate about all sports and represents her school in netball, tennis and rounders, and plays hockey for the county. She would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged her with chess, in particular: Jonathan Tuck, Lawrence Cooper, Sussex Junior Chess, Horsham Chess Club and Farlington School

U16 Girls – Chantelle Foster Following qualification at the England U11 trials, Chantelle joined the National Chess Junior Squad and has participated in chess trips to Flanders, Wales, Poland, the Czech Republic and Dubai. She has represented England previously in the European Youth Chess Championships in Georgia in 2010 (U14 girls) and Bulgaria in 2011 (U16 girls) and competed for the Faber-Gilbert Cup (U18 girls) in Dublin in 2011. Chantelle is a black belt in karate and enjoys training on the dojo several times a week and teaching lower graded juniors and adults alike. She plays netball and badminton regularly for the school. Chantelle attends Aylesbury High School, Aylesbury. She would like to thank everyone who has helped her to improve as a chess player.

U16 Girls – Katherine Shepherd Katherine attends Rosebery School, Epsom.

U14 Boys – Ravi Haria As well as enjoying competitive chess, Ravi is a keen all-round sportsman and plays cricket and hockey for his school team. He also loves drama and music and plays the double bass. Ravi has played chess in Open and Junior international events in Delhi, Vietnam, Turkey, Greece, Amsterdam, Brazil and France, winning a Bronze Medal in Delhi (2007), and a medal for joint third Under-12 place at the World Youth Chess Championship, Brazil, 2011. Ravi has won British Championship titles at Under-8 (joint), Under-9 and Under-13. Ravi attends Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree and would like to thank Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, the English Chess Federation and the wider chess community for much appreciated support, guidance, opportunities and encouragement to develop as a player and represent England

U14 Boys – Ananthanarayanan Balaji Ananthanarayanan started chess in India at the age of 7 and moved to England in 2007. Inspired by his father, Ananth picked up chess very well and is currently playing for Harrow Chess Club. Adding further feathers to his cap, he won these major titles – British U13 Championship, e2e4 High Wycombe U2000 Championship – as well as major junior tournaments – South of England, West of England and Junior Squad tournaments. Aspiring to achieve a good level in chess, Ananth is looking forward to playing strong international opponents. He also participated in the EYCC 2011 Championship in Bulgaria. As well as chess he plays cricket, rugby and football. Ananthanrayanan attends QE Boys Grammar School, Barnet.

U14 Boys – Tarun Malhotra

U14 Boys – Conor Murphy I am 12 years old and attend Eltham College in London, where I have captained the school chess team to two national school titles in recent years. My success in chess to date includes winning the London Junior Championships twice and the Tournament of Young Talents in Frydek Mistek, Czech Republic. I have also enjoyed success with my club team, recently retaining the Kent County Open Championship. I enjoy my school studies, particularly maths and languages. I play the piano, violin and organ and attend the Royal College of Music in London. I was awarded Musician of the Year at the 2011 Croydon Music Festival.

U14 Boys – Rohan Shiatis Hi there, here’s a little bit about me. I love playing chess and have won three British Junior Chess titles consecutively. I have always wanted to travel abroad to represent England at chess; so I will be achieving one of my ambitions at the Europeans this year. I also enjoy music, The Simpsons, Psych, Michael McIntyre, the cinema, eating theplas and puris, scooting, watching Formula One, cricket, playing table-tennis with my dad, playing tennis and spending time with my friends. I particularly enjoy coaching and helping out at ACES (Academy of Chess Excellence and Skills), where I now coach promising young juniors from Kent. I would like to thank my mum and dad, Vishal, Kiran, Sabrina Chevannes, Ian Snape, Chris Ward GM, Keith Arkell GM, KJCA and Peter Bayliss, Miss Percy, Peter Hall, Dr Mike Kilfiger, CCF, Scott Freeman, Howard and Marilyn Curtis and all my friends in the chess world. Rohan attends St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington.

U14 Boys – Adam C Taylor Adam started playing chess at school when he was 9 years old. As he was unbeaten at school, he went on to compete in Megafinals and Essex Junior Events. He is currently the U14 London Champion and achieved Joint 1st in the John Robinson Junior U14 Grand Prix this year. Adam also competed in the Hastings Masters for the first time with a commendable performance rating of 2098 (+1.93). He represented England in the Four Nations in Dublin in 2011, winning all 6 of his games and achieving the overall Board prize. Adam currently plays league chess for both the Essex and Colchester adult Teams. Adam is a very consistent and rapidly improving player and has high aspirations in chess. He is keen to play strong opponents from both England and abroad to improve even further. In addition to Chess, Adam plays for the Eastern Rhinos Rugby Team. He plays badminton and tennis and is the cricket captain at his school. Adam attends The Gilberd School in Colchester. He’d like to thank all those people who have helped him improve his chess, in particular – The David Wood Memorial Trust, The Hervey Benham Charitable Trust and IM Harriet Hunt.

U14 Boys – Leo Tsoi I’m currently 14 years old and attend Bishop Vesey Grammar School in Birmingham. I joined the National Junior Chess team aged 10, but before that I played competitive chess and have won some titles. In 2012, I came joint first in the English Closed Championships, won my Warwickshire Megafinal, come joint second in the British Championship and Junior Chess Squad tournament and helped my BDCL chess team (Boldmere St. Michaels) win the Division 2 league and get promoted to Division 1. I also enjoy swimming, badminton, playing the piano and general card games.

U12 Boys – Arul Gupta I am ten years old and attend Eltham College Junior School in London. I started playing chess when I was 7 years old and I have won quite a few trophies since then. My biggest successes include winning the London Junior Chess Championships twice – the U10 in 2010 and U12 in 2011 and the West of England Championships twice – U10 in 2010 and 2011. Another passion of mine is music. I enjoy playing the piano and the drum kit, and jamming with my dad. Last year at the Beckenham Festival of Music I was awarded the most outstanding piano soloist. I also love playing sports, especially cricket where I play for my school team and my local club.

U12 Boys – Girinath Haridas I am 11 years old and I attend Dulwich College. I like playing sports, and I represent my school in almost all of the sports there are. My favourite sport is cricket but I like tennis too. I also enjoy science and maths. Also I love playing on electronic games. I started chess when I was seven. I started with a recommendation from my parents. After, I took up the school chess club where GM Chris Ward started teaching me. Soon my interest grew and grew. I’d like to thank my family, GM Chris Ward, KJCA, CCF and Lewisham Chess Club.

U12 Boys – Dion Huang Dion attends Westminster Under School, London.

U12 Boys – Yang-Jian Zhou Yang-Jian attends the Whitgift School, South Croydon. He’d like to thank the Whitgift School.

U12 Girls – Akshaya Kalaiyalahan

U12 Girls – Eva Ressel

U12 Girls – Beatrice Steele I am Beatrice Steele and I am 12 years old. I attend Guildford High School for Girls and really enjoy Latin, History, English and Physics. I play chess at school and Guildford chess club. I have been playing chess for several years since primary school. I have won various championships including many girls tournaments and I have over 30 trophies. Chess is something I truly enjoy and will continue to play. Thank you to all the people I have played and for all the help and coaching. And to my poor mother who sits for hours waiting for me!

U10 Boys – Zheming Zhang Zheming attends the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle. He would like to thank Tim and Abi Adams, Paul Bielby and Jonathan Hawkins. He learned to play chess at the age of six and half while he was visiting his grandparents in China. He then started to play chess on computer and at NJCA tournaments. Zheming won British U8 and U9 titles in 2010 and won the best U9 prize twice at the UK Chess Challenge Terafinals. Zheming won the England U11 trial in 2012 and became a member of National Junior Chess Squad.

U10 Girls – Meytal Cohen Meytal was taught to play chess by her grandmother when she was nearly 7. She soon competed in her first tournament where she lost a tooth, but won first prize. She has since lost several more teeth and accumulated a large collection of trophies. She also loves drawing, dancing and reading. Meytal is a pupil at Brookland Junior School, attends its vibrant chess club and plays in its chess team. She’d like to thank Brookland’s enthusiastic coach John Fleetwood, who has nurtured generations of great players and brought the school to the summit of the English Junior Chess.

U10 Girls – Laura Davidson My name is Laura Jean Davidson. I go to Coworth Flexlands School in Surrey. I started playing chess just over a year ago. Mrs Kate Hegarty taught me how to play chess at school. My first tournament was the Megafinals in April 2011. Since then I have played in many tournaments across the country, and won lots of trophies and medals. I play for the Wey Valley chess team and at the Sandhurst chess club. I also play violin, sing, swim in the school team, ice skate and play tennis. I would like to thank Mrs Sweeney, Mrs Hegarty, Sarah Hegarty, Nicholas Pert, Mike Basman, Mrs Pat Armstrong, Jonathan Tuck and Alec Aslett. I have met some great people playing chess and thank you all for giving me the opportunity to play the game.

U8 Boys – Aditya Verma Aditya is the current British U8 champion and as per FIDE age, is the highest rated under 8 and 9 chess player in UK. He started playing chess at the age of six and within a year had already won the British Chess Championship and qualified twice for the UK Chess Challenge Terafinal. Aditya already has few adult championships under his belt and is all geared up to compete on the world stage. Aditya attends Cranbrook Primary School, Ilford. He’d like to thank Ilford Chess Club, David Wood Memorial Trust, Dave Hawkins, Anthony Mathurin and Lorin D’Costa.

U8 Boys -Joshua Altman Joshua Altman earned England’s top score in World Schools 2012 in Romania, his first international tournament. Among his titles are English Junior Rapidplay U8 Champion; UK Chess Challenge Megafinal U7 and U8 Supremo; Barnet Knights U8 Champion; Barnet Schools U8 and U9 Champion; and Middlesex and Surrey Hundreds U10 Champion. Unfazed, he debuted alongside World No.1 Magnus Carlsen in a TV cameo in “Mozart of Chess” for CBS 60 Minutes. Joshua is a budding street artist and paints in London’s graffiti tunnels. He collects Kidrobots, having amassed 250 blindboxes. At 4, he learned every stop along New York City’s subway. Joshua reports on Twitter @kid_chess. Joshua attends Arnold House School in London and plays in Barnet Knights. He’d like to thank mentor GM Ray Keene OBE, GM Neil McDonald, IM Lorin D’Costa and role models Anna Purvis, Jonathan Pein and Ravi Haria.

U8 Boys – Leo Sanitt Leo’s Uncle Dave taught him the moves when he was six. He then constantly nagged his parents to play chess with him until, a few months later, he realised beating them was no longer a challenge (why has nobody written ‘How to Beat Your Kid at Chess’?). Leo also enjoys Lego, cricket, swimming, The Simpsons and playing/bickering with his brother and sister. Leo is currently the U8 London champion, the U8 and U9 Barnet champion and a member of the winning team in the U9 National Primary School Championships. Leo attends Garden Suburb Junior School, London. He’d like to thank Barnet Knights and Barnet Junior Chess Association.

NOTE – The player listed first in each section is the ECF’s official representative