European Schools Chess Championships – Kassandra, Greece, 16th – 26th June 2016

Giulio Sahinoz Giulio has been playing chess for over two years. He currently plays in second and third division for Linton Chess Club. His major achievement is joint second place at the South of England Championship in the U11 section this year. His main passions are chess and Lego. He would like to thank three inspirational and supportive people in his life: Paul Kemp and Tomer Eden for significantly improving his chess and his mum for her continuous support. Giulio is attending year 5 at Friends’ school and he is looking forward to taking part in his first international tournament.

Charles Metcalfe Charlie first started playing chess aged 8 at school when he heard the Chess Club gave out free sweets! He was captivated by the game from the very start and soon moved to Kent Junior Chess GPs and following county representation, began playing English Youth Chess Championship Grand Prix events and adult competitions around London and the South East. Outside chess he is a keen footballer playing for a local team and an avid Chelsea supporter. He likes a range of electronic games but especially those with a strategic element. Charlie is grateful to everyone who has helped him, but in particular would like to thank John Emms, Chris Ward, Coulsdon Chess Fellowship, Tunbridge Wells Chess Club, Krishna and Rowan Shiatis, Kent Junior Chess Association and Michael Shahoud, who first introduced him to chess when the school club was estbalished in 2013.

Tim Lewis I am 13 years old and go to UCS. I started playing chess when I was 6 and have represented England on three occasions (in Serbia, Greece and Ireland). I would like to thank all the people who have encouraged and supported me in my chess particularly Sarah Hegarty.

Arushi Ramaiya Arushi started playing competitive chess as an U7. At Wimbledon High Junior School she benefited from having Sue Lalic as a chess coach. She has also benefited from getting private coaching from Graeme Buckley, David Rumen and now, Nick Pert. She became a regular in the Surrey junior teams. She also established herself as one of the stronger girl players in her age group. Recently in February 2016, she won the West of England U12 Championship in a strong field of 60+ players consisting of boys and girls. She currently goes to school at St Paul’s Girls’ School. She has been most inspired by her close family, who initiated her love of the game.

Shreyas Royal Shreyas started playing chess at the age of 5.5 years and he already has an impressive list of achievements. His first major success came in December 2014 when he won the Gold medal in his age category at the London Chess Classic tournament. Since then he has won many of his championships. His biggest achievements were English Junior rapid play 2015 U8 first , Hampstead U135 first place , Golders green second place U120, South of England 2016 U7, U8 champion , Wilts & West of England U7 winner , U8 second place . Maths and chess are his favourite subjects. He would like to thank his coach Jyothilal Narayanan who recognized his talent and nurturing him. He attends Britannia Village Primary and wants to extend his gratitude to the staff and friends there for the encouragement and support.

Anshu Ramaiya Anshu started playing competitive chess as an U7. Within a year, in 2010, he won the Surrey U8 Chess Championship. He quickly became a regular in the Surrey U9 and U11 teams. He has gained a lot from coaching with Graeme Buckley, David Rumen and currently Nick Pert. Anshu is in Year 9 at King’s College School in Wimbledon.

Jason Covey I started playing chess at the age of 6, after learning the game from my older sister. I’ve been fortunate to play for Barnet Junior Chess county teams, Barnet Knights teams and represented England at several tournaments, my first international event being the 2013 ESCC in Serbia. Besides playing for England, my proudest chess memory was more recent, when I won the U12 London Junior Chess Championships in December 2015. I attend the American School in London, and when I’m not playing chess, I enjoy basketball, tennis, and football. I would like to thank all the coaches who have taught me chess, including Tony Niccoli and Nick Pert.

Elizabeth Johnson Elizabeth would like to thank the Lady Eleanor Holles School for all support it has given her. Elizabeth started playing chess when she was 7. She represented England at the World Schools Chess Championship in Greece Porto Carras in 2013 and at the World Schools Chess Championship in Brazil in 2014. Away from chess she enjoys music, reading and netball.

Shlok Verma Shlok is a year 2 Student of Tubbenden Primary School, Orpington. He learned chess from his brother Aditya and is a keen chess enthusiast. With already many county and national level trophies he is now looking forward to representing country in international events. He also enjoys tennis, football, plays piano and is an avid reader. He would like to thank his school for all the support, his county coaches GM Chris Ward and GM John Emms and his first coach Robin Slade who keeps him motivated.

Nishchal Thatte Nishchal started playing chess at home with his sister around 2 years ago. He goes to Grove Road Primary School in Hounslow and enjoy playing chess. He also like cars, Lego, puzzles and football. Nowadays he is also pursuing his interest in computer coding.

Elliot Cocks I started playing chess at my junior school chess club. At the age of 10, Trevor Dickerson came to my school and encouraged me to participate in my first chess tournament. I then proceeded to play in the rest of the Essex Grand Prix tournaments as well as the Megafinal and Gigafinal. I won my first tournament at the age of 11 and have rapidly improved since. I now play regularly for Chelmsford, Writtle, Essex and the Anglian Avengers 4NCL team. I am Essex U14 Champion, Wiltshire and West of England U14 Champion 2015, U150 Rapidplay Champion at the British Championships and came 2nd is both the British U14 & U15 events. I enjoy playing chess and will be be proud to represent my country in Halkidiki, Greece. I would like to thank Richard Harding, Trevor Dickerson, Ivor Smith, Robin Slade, Arnold Lutton, Dave Hawkins, Mark McCallum, IM Richard Pert, the David Wood Memorial Trust and my family for their continual support and encouragement.

William Zheng William started playing chess at his school chess club in Manchester. He is grateful to everyone in Worsley Chess Club who has helped him and encouraged him to participate in his first chess tournament, and Sainbayar Tserendorj in Ealing Chess Club who recognized his talent and supporting him. He currently goes to Parkfield Primary School in London.

Nilomi Desai

Dominic Miller Dominic was first taught the rules of chess at the age of 5 by his grandfather, but didn’t start playing more seriously until he joined the school chess club in Year 5. A year later, he started playing for Sussex and his obsession with chess has just grown from there. His highlights include playing for Sussex, becoming the 2014 British Intermediate Rapidplay Champion and gaining his NCJS full norm , coming joint 1st in the 2015 LJCC, and joint 2nd in the 2015 British U14 Chess Championships and joint second Wilts and West of England Major 2016, and playing for the NCJS in the Czech Republic in 2015. He is currently in year 9 at Brighton College. He would like to thank Chris Jones, his current coach, Ed Farrington, his first coach, the coaches at Sussex Junior Chess and his parents for taking him to chess tournaments around the country.

Leif Hafstad I started to play chess competitively in 2013 and won the Silver Plate in 2014. Besides chess, I love going out to the forest to play airsoft with my friends. I am very much looking forwards to the battle ahead at the EYCC in Greece. I’d like to thank Dave Regis and the Exeter Junior Chess Club, Mr. Cross who provided my first chess lessons and introduced me to tournaments, Jovanka Houska and of course my Dad who took me everywhere.

Tarun Desai