Halkidiki, Greece, 24th October to 6th November
 U18 Adam C Taylor Adam started playing chess at school when he was 9 years old. He has represented England at several Major Tournaments and has been the U15, U16 and now the U17 English Youth Champion. This year, after taking his AS Levels, he is looking forward to taking part in the Open Tournament in Riga. Adam plays Board 1 for Manningtree ‘A’ who last year won the Suffolk League for the first time in many, many years and also plays for the Anglian Avengers 4NCl Team. In addition to chess, Adam enjoys volleyball, badminton, table tennis and cricket. He also follows Formula One and is a big Lewis Hamilton fan. He’d like to thank all those people who have helped him to improve his chess, in particular GM John Emms, GM David Howell, English Chess Federation, The Knights Chess Group, Suffolk Chess Association and players, Manningtree Chess Club and of course, his Mum. |
 U18 Louise Head [pic by John Upham] Louise learnt to play chess at the age of 6 and has been competing regularly since her first tournament at 7. She has played in Berkshire Junior Chess teams since she was 8. She was the joint British U14 girl and U15 girl champion. She has also gained the English Youth U16 and U17 Girls’ titles. She competes in one of the BCM 4NCL teams and is first board for her school team (The Abbey School, Reading), the National Girls’ runners up in 2014. Louise competed at the European Youth in Bulgaria in 2011, the World Youth in Slovenia in 2012 and the World Youth in the UAE in 2013. Louise was also the female silver medalist at the European Amateur in 2014. Louise would like to thank Crowthorne Chess Club, Berkshire Junior Chess, Ken Coates and Atanas Kizov for all their support. She is looking forward to competing at the World Youth Championships in Greece. |
 U16 Ravi Haria Ravi has played competitive chess since he was 8, in Open and Junior international events in the UK and abroad. His achievements include winning a Bronze Medal in Delhi (2007), and a medal for 6th place in the U12 section at the World Youth Chess Championship, Brazil, 2011. Ravi has won junior British Championship titles at Under-8 (joint), Under-9 and Under-13 and came joint 3rd in the British Championship in 2014 also winning the Under 18 British Championship title, having played in the main British Championship since 2010. Ravi 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. |
 U16 Michael Ashworth Michael started playing chess at the age of 8. He qualified for the National Chess Junior Squad in 2010 at the age of 10, and has represented his country in Belgium, Ireland, France and the Czech Republic. He is the current West of England Under 16 and Under 18 Champion, and a regular player for the Gloucestershire adult county team. His biggest achievement was in 2014, when he became the Under 15 British Champion. Michael would like to thank Richard & John Jones for their support at primary school, and Wotton Hall Chess Club. He would also like to thank WIM Tereza Olsarova and his teachers at Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Ian Robson and Joey Stewart, for coaching him with enthusiasm. |
 U16 Lauren Weaver Lauren started playing chess when she was 7 at Wimbledon High School chess club and was inspired by Susan Lalic who teaches there. She played for the Wey Valley teams and tournaments organised by Mike Basman, and continues to play for Surrey and Wimbledon teams. Lauren very much enjoyed playing in the WSCC in Brazil last year and is looking forward to playing competitive chess in Greece. |
 U14 Koby Kalavannan Koby started playing chess at his primary school. He is the Under 11 British Chess Champion, Under 12 British Chess Champion, Under 13 British Chess Champion, Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge Under 11 Champion, English Grand Prix Junior Winner 2012 and 2013 and 2015 the winner of Under 12 and Under 13 English Youth Chess Championship Grand Prix. He has represented England team before in the World Youth Chess Championships and the European Youth Chess Championships. Apart from chess he loves playing Eastern and Western violin, keyboard and singing, and he is in his school choir and orchestra. He enjoys playing sports, especially cricket. Koby would like to thank everyone who has supported, guided and encouraged him to get to this stage and become a good chess player. He would also like to thank ECF for selecting him to represent England, and Hampton School for all their support. |
 U14 Anantha P Anilkumar Anantha started playing chess at school when he was 6 years old, and was the LJCC U8 champion in 2009, aged 7. He jointly won the London Junior U12 Championship in 2012 and he jointly won the British U12 championship last year .He finished in the top three at the British Championships in his age group for the previous three years. He is a member of the Kent Junior Chess Association, which has won many EPSCA titles, and also plays for the KJCA Knights 4NCL team. Anantha enjoys learning new langauges through Duolingo, playing cricket and badminton in his free time. He would like to thank his coach GM Chris Ward , Kent Junior Chess Association, his school chess coach Mr Kevin Bailey and the headmaster and staff of St Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, for the encouragement and support they have given to improve his chess. |
 U14 James Moreby James first played chess for England at the age of 9 in the 2012 World Schools Championship in Romania. The following year he competed in the World Schools in Halkidiki, Greece. In 2014, he enjoyed the competition at the European Youth Championship in Georgia and, earlier this year, as part of the National Chess Junior Squad, won an international tournament in the Czech Republic. He is looking forward to returning to Porto Carras for this year’s World Youth. James enjoys chess on the board and off it, having discovered that chess is a great way to support his keen interests in meeting and talking to people from all over the world! He’d like to thank everyone who has helped him to improve his chess, in particular his first chess teacher, Paul Bielby, his first coach FM Charlie Storey and current coach GM Jacob Aagaard. James plays for Gosforth, his local chess club in Newcastle upon Tyne where he attends the Royal Grammar School. |
| U14 Girinath Haridas |
 U14 Harry Grieve Harry learned chess at the age of 6 and was quickly hooked, winning his first national title a year later. He plays for his school, his county, in local and national leagues and for the England Junior Squad, as well as in many local and not so local congresses and tournaments. Harry is interested in cricket, snooker and table tennis, and he also plays the piano. This will be his third ECF England trip. |
 U14 Nugith Jayawarna After picking up his first chess lessons from his cousin Pasan Fernando at the age of 7 Nugith had his early chess training with Mr. Graham Andrews when he was at his Primary school Canon Burrows. After winning his first major EPSCA (English Primary Schools Chess Association) event in 2010 he went on to become runner-up at the British Chess Championships for 3 consecutive years in U11,U12 and U13 (2015) junior events. Nugith has represented his school (Altrincham Grammar School for Boys) in school leagues and Tameside Juniors and Heywood in adult leagues. Having performed well at adult leagues in and around Manchester he’s already had the opportunity to represent Lancashire County teams in ECF run county championships. He is very much grateful for Heywood Chess Club for encouraging him in many ways to improve his chess. Nugith would like to thank Graham Andrews, Steve Mason, Bill O’Rourke, Brett Lund and GM Mark Hebden for their continued support in furthering his chess. Nugith enjoys cricket and very much into it in the summer playing junior cricket at club and county district level. Having taken part in last year’s World Youth Chess Championships in Durban, South Africa Nugith is looking forward to returning to competing at the highest level junior event in Porto Carras in Greece this year. |
 U14 Nikolai Hinterreither Nikolai was introduced to chess in Year 4 at his school. He quickly fell in love with the game and all of its intricacies, and soon began playing for both his school and county. He was selected for the National Jr. Squad in Year 6 and has since enjoyed representing England in matches against Wales, Scotland, Poland and at the World School’s. He is very excited to be testing his skills in the World Youth Chess Championships in Greece, representing England. Nikolai currently attends Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow, Buckinghamshire and is coached by GM Nick Pert. |
 U14 Akshaya Kalaiyalahan Akshaya is 13 years old and learned to play chess when she was eight years old. She has represented England previously in the World and European Youth Chess Championships and in the Women’s Olympiad. She would like to thank everybody who encouraged, supported and guided her and made her a good chess player. Akshaya attends Nonsuch High School for Girls in Sutton, Surrey. |
 U12 Alex Golding Alex is 11 years old and started playing chess when he was 6 years old. He won the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge U11 Champion title in 2012 when he was 8 years old. Alex has represented England in international tournaments since 2013. In 2014, his international events included captaining the winning Stokes Cup team in the annual Glorney Gilbert International and playing in the European Youth Chess Championships where he came 9th on tie break out of 121 players. Alex plays at county level for Surrey and in the 4NCL for Guildford. His local chess clubs are Ashtead, Coulsdon Chess Fellowship and Ealing. At junior level, he has played for the EPSCA U11, National Chess Junior Squad, Surrey and Wey Valley teams in 2015. Alex is a keen tennis player and takes part in many other sporting activities. Alex thanks all those who have supported and encouraged him in his chess including Pat Armstrong, IM Mike Basman, Mike Bolan, Roger Emerson, GM Glenn Flear, Daniel Gliddon, IM and WGM Susan Lalic, GM Nick Pert, Owen Phillips, Sainbayar Tserendorj and Kathy Vannucci. Alex attends Reigate Grammar School [picture by John Upham] |
 U12 Sacha Brozel Hello I’m Sacha Brozel and I’m privileged to be playing for England for the third time. Starting chess at the age of 5, I was immediately entranced and chess has played a big part in my life ever since. Two years later, to my parents’ surprise, I won the U8 London Junior Chess Championship. I then went on to win the British U9, U10 and U11 Championships. I love my chess but it is not the only thing I do – I also play football, table tennis, frisbee, tennis and I love to read. I’d like to thank Rob Willmoth, Lorin D’Costa and my family who have supported me every bit of the way. I attend City of London School for Boys. |
 U12 Ilya Misyura Ilya is a winner of the English Youth 2014 and 2015 and really enjoyed his experience in the World Youth Chess Championship in Durban at 2014. As well as being an enthusiastic chess player he loves football, cricket and his cat Zefir. He wants to thank all the people who support him in everything he does. |
 U12 Aditya Munshi Aditya Munshi, known as Adi, born on 29th Feb, learnt chess from the age of 5 (from his sister Shaarika) and has never looked back. Aditya works very hard at his game and loves to play attacking chess! He guided the Nottingham Junior School to the National Under-9 championship for 2 successive years. Adi played in the ESCC 2014, and the World Schools 2014 in Brazil. He is extremely grateful for all the fantastic support he has received from Nottingham High School, his coaches & his family. He loves cricket, badminton, video games & maths! |
 U11 Girls – Thivyaa Rahulan I started playing chess at the age of 7 and began to play competitively at the age of 8. My other interests are tennis, piano, singing and swimming . I go to Newcastle-Under-Lyme Junior School. I would like to thank all the people who helped me with my chess. |
 U12 Laura Davidson Laura was taught to play chess by Mrs Kate Hegarty at school. Her first tournament was the Megafinals in April 2011. After that she played in the Wey Valley tournaments and teams organised by IM Mike Basman and Pat Armstrong. She has played in many tournaments across the country and represented England internationally in both the World and European Youth Chess Championships since 2012. Many thanks to everyone who has supported, guided and encouraged Laura with her chess. Laura represents her school in tennis, netball and rounders. She also studies and enjoys music and drama. |
 U10 Ranesh Ratnesan Even though I loved the excitement of winning the U8 British Championship, within a short period of time, since I started playing chess, and consequently being invited to represent England at the European Schools Chess Championship in Greece, my most favourite moment was lifting the ECF U11 championship trophy, with my teammates, for my school King’s College Junior School, Wimbledon. Being part of Kent EPSCA team and collecting trophies for the county is also very exciting. Have been selected in the U11 England Junior Squad, I recently enjoy playing chess in a very relaxing environment with new friends. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and given me the opportunity in my chess journey. |
 U10 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 11 Girl in London Junior Chess Championships and also awarded the 2015 Girls’ Champion (U10) 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 5. |
 U8 Savin Dias |
 U8 Dhruv Radhakrishnan Dhruv is moving into Year 4 at Kingshott School. Maths and chess are his favourite subjects. His other interests are music and sports. Dhruv won bronze in U7 World School Rapid Chess last year and U8 British Championship this year. |
 U8 Radha Ratnesan I like to play chess tournaments because I can meet my chess friends and play with them in between games and end of the tournaments. I have won various individual tournaments but I like travelling together with our Kent team and Kent coach GM Chris Ward to EPSCA tournaments. It is always good fun! I go to Lady Eleanor Holles School. I am very excited to play for England for the first time. |
| Coaches |
 John Emms GM John was awarded the Grandmaster title in 1995. He has played for England at two Chess Olympiads and captained the team at the 2002 Bled Olympiad. John is an experienced chess coach and has worked with England’s junior players at several international tournaments. He was Harriet Hunt’s coach when she won the World Girls Under-20 Championship. John has written many books on chess openings, endgames, strategy and tactics. |
 Glenn Flear GM At the risk of giving away my age (!) I will begin by mentioning that I have been involved in the chess world on a professional basis for more than thirty years. I became a GM in 1987 and still play fairly actively, mainly in France (where I live with my wife and two children aged 21 and 16) but sometimes in the UK. I am also now involved in writing about the game, especially on openings and endgames, and have indeed penned a number of books on these subjects. I would also describe myself as an experienced coach, especially with juniors, having been involved with trips organised by the English Chess Federation for many years. I’m still passionate about chess and enjoy playing, analyzing, and sharing chess knowledge with others. |
 Neil McDonald GM 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. |
 Lorin D’Costa IM My name is Lorin D’Costa and I have been an International Chess Master since November 2008. I am a full time chess teacher in London, coaching both individuals (many whom have gone on to win national titles and represent England) and in various schools, as well as at the world and European youth championships as a national coach with the best young English chess talent. |
 Vadyanathan Ravikumar IM Vaidyanathan Ravikumar, a FIDE Trainer and International Master in chess, was Asian Junior chess champion in the Under 20 age category. He has represented India in International events and was National Coach of Emirates for 8 years. He is an experienced chess coach, having accompanied the ECF junior chess team to World Youth Chess Championships in 2014, held in Al Ain, UAE. |
 Sarah Hegarty WFM I have been playing competitive chess since I was 7 years old when I won the UK Chess Challenge U7 girls and appeared on Blue Peter with Garry Kasparov! Since then I have been playing for England regularly. My most notable performance for England was when I scored 7.5/9 at the 2010 Adult Chess Olympiads in Khanty-Mansiysk. In 2013 I became British Ladies Chess Champion before pursuing a career as a lawyer. I have now moved towards teaching more chess as I have a real passion for nurturing talent and ability. I regularly coach members of the England Team and have coached England’s top juniors at two previous prestigious international events. Check out my website to find out more – www.sarahhegartychess.co.uk |