European Schools Chess Championships
Budva, Montenegro from 10th – 20th June 2017
Organizer – Montenegro Chess Federation [regs] Website – http://euroschools2017.me/cg/

Joe Birks When Joe was three, his dad grew bored of Snakes and Ladders and got out the chess board. After that, the only way his mum could get him round the supermarket was by pretending to be a knight on the black and white tiled flooring. Joe has gone on to represent England at the World Cadet Championships and the Glorney Cup and was the U8 English Youth Champion in 2016. He’d like to particularly thank Sarah Longson, Mike Conroy and Dave Gaston for their encouragement and support.

Samuel Gilmore Samuel learned to play chess when he was 5 years old and has never looked back. His first big achievement was a 5/6 score at the EPSCA national semis in Pontins when he was only 6. Samuel has won many county tournaments in Hertfordshire and has featured in the top 5 of the junior grand prix and in national tournaments. Samuel is in Year 6 at Radlett Prep school and plays for Barnet Knights. Samuel also loves football and table tennis. Samuel would like to thank his parents, Ravi Kumar, Lorin d’Costa and Rob Willmoth.

Abigail Weersing My name is Abigail, I am 10 and I attend Year 6 at RA Butler Academy in Saffron Walden. I currently play for RA Butler Academy, Essex Juniors and the Essex Dragons in the Junior 4NCL. Apart from playing chess, I enjoy playing football, tag rugby and supporting the Michigan Wolverines. I would like to thank my family, Dave Hawkins, Nick Jackson, Tom Villiers, Andrew Martin and Richard Pert for their support and excellent coaching. I am very much looking forward to representing England in this tournament!

Niamh Bridgeman Niamh started playing chess just after her 8th birthday, whilst living near Adelaide, South Australia. In 2015 she was 3rd in the Under 10 Girls Championship at the Australian Junior Championship. After living in Australia for 5 years, Niamh returned to the UK in 2015. She has since won the Under 10 Girls British Championship in 2016. She would like to thank Australian chess guru, Alan Goldsmith for all his help and good humour in those Aussie days, and also Simon Rogers, FM Glenn House and all those at Morecambe Chess Club for helping develop Niamh’s chess.

Aarnavh Trivedi Aarnavh attends The Meadow School in Balsham. He first started playing chess in the summer of 2015, aged 7, with his grandfather. He developed a real thirst for chess and started playing competitively, and has won titles at U8, U9 and U10 at County level, and has been runner-up at U12 competitions and the 2017 ESPCA U11 rapidplay, still aged 9. He has represented his County and plays regularly in a local team. He is thrilled to be selected to represent his country. He wishes to thank his Grandfather (Ajay), for driving his interest, and his coaches Paul Kemp and Rita Atkins for providing structure to his game and their continued efforts. Outside chess, Aarnavh plays the piano, swims for the district club and plays in the local football team.

Keerthana Easwar

Dhruv Easwar

Adam John I started playing chess 3-4 years ago. I was inspired by my brother. I would like to thank Somton Ukken (my first coach), Robert Jones (organiser of Bury Knights), and Edmund Player (my current coach). My other interests include violin, cricket and puzzles. I have won the Gigafinal for the last two years, and regularly play in the adult chess leagues.

Amy John I have played chess for 2-3 years, being inspired by my brothers. I was initially coached by Anita Somton. My current coach is Edmund Player. I would also like to thank Robert Jones, the organiser of my chess club Bury Knights. I play regularly in the adult chess leagues.

Calum Salmons Calum Salmons started playing chess aged six because his grandad was a strong club player and got his dad into the game. Calum’s dad taught him the basics and he soon won his first primary school tournament. He quickly moved on to county chess and won many individual Sussex Junior Chess titles, as well as regional tournaments, and – with SJC teams – a number of national competitions across a range of age groups. Calum was selected for the National Chess Junior Squad age 11, playing his first international events in Wales and Poland. At 12 years old, Calum won his first adult chess tournament, taking the major section at the Fifth Winchester Congress. In the same year he came equal third in the Delancey UK School Chess Challenge, from an initial entry of more than 48,000 chess players from across the UK. Calum would like to thank his family and his school, Hove Park, for supporting him, and his trainers – Dave Graham and Brian Denman – for sharing their expertise, and all at Sussex Junior Chess.

Timothy Lewis I am 14 years old and I go to UCS. I started playing chess when I was 6,  and since then I have represented England five times. As well as playing chess, I love football. I would like to thank my Mum, Dad and everyone who has helped me in chess, particularly Sarah Longson

Zoha Ashraf Zoha was born and lives in Swindon, a vibrant town in the beautiful English county of Wiltshire. Zoha attends Brook Field Primary School which she absolutely adores – let’s say most days of the year. Zoha became interested in chess at the age of 6, inspired by her elder brother who has now taken an early retirement from chess (at the age of 11). During her early chess days, Zoha was helped greatly by Wiltshire Junior Chess members Tim Headlong and Keith Williams. Presently, Zoha is being coached by Paul Girdlestone, who Zoha also adores – again, most days of the year. Zoha’s major chess achievements include: English Youth Champion (U7 Girls 2015), British Champion (U8 Girls 2016), U7/U8 Suprema and playing in the Terafinal Challengers. Zoha’s aim is to keep on playing and enjoying her chess (and unlike her brother not to take an early retirement)

Coaches WFM Meri Grigoryan, IM Andrew Martin and FM Charlie Storey