World Cadets Chess Championships
Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil from 21st – 31st August 2017
Organizer – Confederation Chess Americas

Shreyas Royal This is my second international event after the 2016 European Schools Chess Championships in Halkidiki, Greece, where I achieved my first medal, a Silver for my country. I am very grateful to my school – The Pointer, Blackheath – for providing me with great moral support, and to Mr. Leonard Barden and the CEO of CSC, IM Malcolm Pein, who always chips in with timely tips. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the ECF for selecting me to join their Young Junior Elite programme. Also, I thank my parents, and my personal trainer Mr. N Jyothilal, for their great support. Special mention should be made about the help given by GM Chris Ward for creating a better awareness about the game. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Mrs. Traci Whitfield and the JRT, which also helped a lot in my preparations. I would also like to thank all those who contributed to my crowdfunding.

Daniel Shek

Sohum Lohia

James Merriman I started playing chess when I was five years old with my dad. I play at my school, St James RC, Petts Wood. My best achivements in chess were winning British Chess Championships U9 and English Youth Grand Prix U10. Thanks to Chris Ward, my coach, and my dad John for teaching me chess when I was younger. My other interests include playing football for Bromley FC and supporting Liverpool FC.

Remy Rushbrooke I started playing competitive chess aged 6, travelling around to tournaments that my older brother was playing in. My first coach was the late, great David Rumens, creator of the Grand Prix defence and legendary raconteur. My current coach is the brilliant Julian Meszaros from Hungary who works alongside Angela Eyton at my school. Our school team has been very successful, winning the EPSCA U11 tournament last year and the ECF primary schools’ trophy several years running. My personal achievements include winning the U12 Junior Grand Prix this year, and representing my country in Poland and now Brazil. I owe a big debt of gratitude to all the people who have supported my chess, and in particular I want to thank my brother Tibo who is funny, patient and kind, and who still plays me even though I usually beat him.

Nilomi Desai

Coach – Neil McDonald