Budva, Montenegro, 28 September – 9 October
Website: http://www.budva2013.org
 Under 18 Open – Rufus Duff [pic by John Upham] |
Under 18 Open – Oskar Hackner Oskar Anton learnt the basics of chess when he was younger, but he really became fascinated by the game of chess in the autumn of 2008 when he was 12½ years old. He played his first tournament less than a year later, and has made great progress during the past 3 1/2 years. He came third at the British Chess Championships U14 in 2010 and won the British Championship title at U15 (joint) in 2011 and U16 in 2012. The latter gave him qualification to the main tournament of the British Chess Championships 2013. Oskar Anton is a member of the National Junior Chess Squad and enjoyed playing at the Gibraltar Junior Chess Festival 2011 and 2012 and in Poland in October 2012. He came joint 1st at the National Junior Chess Squad Championships U16 in 2012. He represented England at the World Junior U16 Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey, August 2012 – his first international event at such a high level – and at the World Youth Chess Championships in Maribor, Slovenia in November 2012. This year he played at the Tradewise Chess Festival in Gibraltar in January and in ACO Championships in Crete in May. Oskar Anton also enjoys playing in 4NCL and the Sheffield and Yorkshire leagues. Oskar Anton is home educated. His other interests include reading and skiing – both slalom and cross–country. He wants to thank all those who have supported his chess as this is his great passion and he is very much looking forward to playing at the European Youth Chess Championships in Budva, Montenegro and at the World Youth Chess Championships in the United Arab Emirates this year. |
 Under 18 Open – Peter Batchelor Peter started playing chess at the age of 8 and upon entering the UK Chess Challenge that year, managed to get straight to the Terafinal! After getting into the England junior squad at the age of 10, he has participated in many internationals and has also been a regular on the junior circuit, which culminated in him becoming the U16 Junior Grand Prix champion last year. He is hoping to do well in the British Championships in Torquay this summer. |
 Under 18 Open – Jude Lenier [pic by Ray Morris-Hill] |
 Under 18 Girls – Amy Hoare Amy has played chess competitively since she was 7 and qualified for the National Chess Junior Squad at the Under 11 trial. Since then she has travelled widely with her chess, competing in Guernsey, the Czech Republic, Holland, Poland, Italy, Turkey and Slovenia. Highlights include: playing in the London Chess Classic (Women’s International Invitational), playing at the Under 16 Olympiad in Istanbul and playing as Board 1 in the European Youth Team Championships. Amy enjoys mentoring the Sussex Girls under 11 Team who achieved 1st place in 2012 and 3rd place in 2013 National Finals. She is passionate about all sports and represents her school in netball, tennis and rounders, and plays hockey for the county. Thanks go to everyone who has supported and encouraged Amy with her chess, in particular: David Howell, Jonathan Tuck, Lawrence Cooper, Sussex Junior Chess, Horsham Chess Club and Farlington School. |
 Under 16 Open – Petr Andreev Chess is a very tough sport, and over the years I’ve been trying hard to improve. I don’t think any human being is even remotely good at real chess, and currently the best computer programs are only a tiny little less bad at it than the best humans. Perfect chess is light years away, though when 10,000 ELO is reached, I don’t think we’ll be able to tell the difference. Therefore I don’t see much point in listing the titles and prizes I’ve won; often luck determines who made the second-last mistake. We might as well debate whether Peak Bobby was better than Peak Garry or Magnus. I attend Bancroft’s School and thank the staff there for the encouragement and support. I’m also grateful to my former chess coach, Peter Sowray, for all the kindness and patience he showed me, and my current persecutor for thrashing me so wickedly. There’s a lot more to life than chess. Maths, physics, table-tennis, classical music and a few other things are important to me, but there’s not enough space in the margin to list them all. |
 Under 16 Open – Adam C. Taylor Adam started playing chess at school when he was 9 years old. Adam is now the current U15 British Champion (Joint); he is also the newly crowned U15 English Youth Champion. This year he is looking forward to taking part in the 100th British Championships in Torquay. He has represented England on several occasions including both the U14 European & World Championships in 2012. Adam plays league chess for Manningtree ‘A’ and also plays for the Anglian Avengers 4NCl Team. In addition to chess, Adam enjoys rugby, badminton and table tennis and is the cricket captain at his school. 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 – The Rotary Club of Colchester, The David Wood Memorial Trust and IM Harriet Hunt. Adam attends The Gilberd School in Colchester. |
 Under 16 Open – Adam A. Taylor Adam started chess at the age of 5. He has won 2 British junior chess championships, played in the World Youth Chess Championships in Turkey at U10, played in the 4 nations and been on several overseas trips with the National Junior Squad. He is grateful that both his schools have been highly supportive of chess, have successful teams and have provided the opportunity to participate in international events. He currently attends Wilson’s School, and previously Homefield. |
 Under 16 Open – David Redman David started playing chess when he was 5 years old and has played in tournaments regularly since he was 6; he has been competing in the UK Chess Challenge ever since. He won the UK Chess Challenge Under 11 title in 2010. He has also represented England in France and Flanders. As well as chess, David also enjoys playing football for the local team, badminton, tennis and running. David attends Cottenham Village College and would like to thank everyone who has helped him improve and made this possible. |
 Under 16 Open – John Fraser I started playing chess competitively when I was 12, and have enjoyed playing ever since. I currently play for Newton Abbot and Devon. I really enjoyed representing England at the World Schools Chess Championship in Greece this year, and I am looking forward to the chance to represent England again. |
 Under 14 Open – Matt Wadsworth Hello, I am Matthew Wadsworth. I learnt chess at the age of 4, through playing with my dad. I have competed at World and European youth events since 2007, and am looking forward to Montenegro. My proudest chess moments so far are beating Mickey Adams in a simul in 2011; my first open tournament win in 2012 (an event which included my first longplay win over an IM); my 5th place at last year’s WYCC U12s; and my various British championship age group titles. Thanks to Nigel Dennis and the rest of the Berkshire Junior Chess Association; my coaches Andrew Martin and Nick Pert; my school for allowing me the time out to compete in Budva; and the three ECF junior directors who have selected me for international events. I am a pupil at Reading School. |
 Under 14 Open – Ravi Haria Ravi has played competitive chess since he was 8, in Open and Junior international events in Delhi, Vietnam, Turkey, Crete, Halkidiki, Amsterdam, Brazil, France, Athens, Prague, Slovenia. 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 played in the main British Championship in 2010 and 2011. As well as enjoying 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 and bass guitar. He would like to thank his 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. Ravi attends Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree |
 Under 14 Open – Akito Oyama Akito was born in the USA in 1999. He moved to Cambridge in 2004 and started playing chess at Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club in 2007. Akito is currently playing chess in Cambridge City Chess Club and Tough Chess, which is a junior chess club organized by Nick Jackson. He is looking forward to playing chess with strong players from other countries. Akito attends Parkside Federation Coleridge Secondary School. |
| Under 14 Open – William Claridge-Hansen |
 Under 14 Girls – Cosima Keen Cosima has been playing chess since she was 5, coming joint first at the Southern Gigafinal that same year. Since then she has had the opportunity to play opponents from all over the globe – travelling as far as Brazil for the World Youth Championships last year. Cosima loves music. She plays the oboe and the piano and sings. She has performed at Glyndebourne and the Royal Albert Hall. She enjoys sport especially netball and has just started ski race training. She would like to thank: her coach Jovanka; Trevor Norton for his years of patience; Colin Harding; all at Sussex Junior Chess and Matthew Turner GM, at her new school Millfield, for all their invaluable support, wisdom and encouragement. |
 Under 12 Open – Brian Tarhon I am 11 years old and I am a passionate sports fan, playing football, tennis and golf for my school and the local clubs. I started playing chess competitively at the age of 8. In 2011, I qualified for National Chess Junior Team and have been part of the squad trips to Belgium and Czech Republic. I attend Lingfield Notre Dame Senior School. |
 Under 12 Open – Harry Grieve Harry started playing chess at the age of 6 and quickly became hooked, winning the London Junior U8 title just a year later. Harry is lucky enough to have Andrew Martin as coach. Qualifying for the England Junior Squad just two weeks before his tenth birthday, Harry has had the opportunity to travel to Belgium and the Czech Republic, and played in his debut major international event at the WSCC in Greece in May 2013. Harry plays for Hampshire and the Fleet & Farnborough Chess Club. He also enjoys playing the piano, snooker, cricket, table tennis and reading. He attends Yateley Manor School. |
 Under 12 Open – Charlie McLaren Charlie won the British U10 Championship in 2012, he is also a member of the EPSCA U11 England Team and a member of the National Chess Junior Squad. He started playing chess when he was 8 and plays for the Wotton Hall Chess Club in Gloucester. From September he will be a pupil of the Crypt School in Gloucester. |
 Under 12 Girls – Akshaya Kalaiyalahan I am 11 years old and I learnt to play chess when I was eight years old. I have represented England previously in the World and European Youth Chess Championships. I have won five British Juniors Championship titles so far and won many other tournaments. I have captained Weyvalley (Surrey) under11 and under11 girls team in the EPSCA tournaments for two years. I had been invited and played in the prestigious Chess tournament, The London Chess Classic, in 2012 in the Women International Invitational Section where only ten women around the world have been invited. I also play for the Surrey County Open team which is going for the final in July. I enjoy swimming, reading and playing rounders, netball and I also enjoy various music and playing flute,violin & piano. I would like to thank Nonsuch High school and everyone who has encouraged and helped me to improve my chess career including GM John Emms, IM V Ravikumar and Coulsdon Chess Club. I attend Nonsuch High School for Girls in Sutton, Surrey. |
 Under 10 Open – Alex Golding Alex is 9 years old and started playing chess when he was 6 years old. He has competed in many chess tournaments since that time. His successes include winning the U11 title and £1,000 at the Terafinal of the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge in 2012 when he was only 8 years old by scoring 4 out of 6 against opponents with an average age of 15 years old. He is the current 10 year old English Youth Chess Champion. Alex plays for the Ashtead, CCF, Ealing Juniors, Surrey and Wey Valley teams. He is a keen tennis player, takes part in many other sporting activities and plays the piano. He is a member of Ashtead Junior Chess Club. Alex thanks all those who have supported and encouraged him in his chess including Pat Armstrong, IM Mike Basman, Mike Bolan, GM Glenn Flear, IM and WGM Susan Lalic, Owen Phillips, Sainbayar Tserendorj, Daniel Gliddon and Kathy Vannucci. Alex attends Downsend School in Leatherhead, Surrey. |
 Under 10 Open – Sacha Brozel I’m ten years old, and chess has been very exciting for me since I learned to play five years ago. I’ve won several championships including London U8, British U9, Gigafinal U9 and have come second in the British U8 and the London U10. My other hobbies include football, tennis, table tennis, cross country running and frisbee. I’d like to thank my coach Rob Willmoth, my poor parents who I drag round to tournaments and everyone else who has given me support. I attend Muswell Hill Primary School. |
 Under 10 Girls – Laura Davidson My name is Laura Jean Davidson. 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. I attend Coworth Flexlands School. |
 Under 10 Girls – Anita Somton Anita learnt to play chess when she was 7 years old. She enjoys playing chess tournaments and has won a large collection of trophies, medals and rosettes. She is the current 9-year-old girls’ English Youth Champion. She is playing for Bury St Edmunds Chess Club and Bury Knights Junior Chess Club. She would like to thank all the people who supported and encouraged her with chess. A special thanks to Bob Jones, Jyothilal Narayanan and Edmund Player. She attends Hardwick Primary School and moving to St. Louis Catholic Middle School, Bury St Edmunds in September |
| Coaches |
 Nick Pert (Head Coach) I have competed in World and European Youth and Junior Championships every year from age 12 to 20 so I have a lot of experience in these types of event. My best finishes were a gold medal in the World Under 18 Championships in 1998 where I achieved my IM title and a bronze medal in the European U12 Championships. I became a grandmaster in 2003 and have played for the England first team in Olympiads and European Team Championships on many occasions. I won the British Rapidplay Championships in 2004, and currently have the highest rapidplay grade in the country. I haven’t won the British Championships (yet!), my best finish was outright 2nd in 2010 behind GM Michael Adams. I have been active on the individual coaching front with a very small number of pupils for several years, however now I have stopped jobs outside of chess I have been able to spend a lot more time on this recently. One of my first pupils, Felix Ynojosa, who has now moved to Venezuela, has just told me that he has achieved his IM title at age 16. At the recent British Championships, 2 of the people I work with regularly at chess won their age group, 1 won a grading section and 2 others won prizes for top junior performance and best improvement in grade. I’d like to thank all the people who have helped me in chess throughout my life, not least my parents for taking me to lots of tournaments when I was young, my brother, IM Richard Pert, for giving me a rival, my first chess coach, Kevin O’Connell, and many others who I have been extremely fortunate to work with at chess. I hope that I can help others get as much enjoyment and success from playing chess as I have, if not more! |
 Glenn Flear [pic by John Upham] I have been a GM since 1987 and am based in Montpellier in the south of France. I am married to a five-times French Women’s Champion and have two teenage children. Apart from playing and writing about chess, I have been actively involved in coaching for a number of years. My first experiences of official ECF trips, such as the European and World Youth Championships, go back to the 1990s. |
 Jovanka Houska British Women’s Champion, Commonwealth Ladies Champion and ECF Manager of Women’s Chess |
 Tom Rendle Having represented England at World and European Youth events from U12 to U18, I have experience in these events both as a player and as a coach. I started coaching about 6 years ago, shortly after achieving the IM title in 2006. I have one GM norm gained at the 2007 Gibraltar Masters where I shared 5th=. I’ve been a regular coach with the England Juniors over the last few years at World, European and other youth events. |
 Lorin D’Costa Having played in World and European Youth events from under 14 up to under 20 level, and coached the England team since 2010 I have some experience with these events. Some of my pupils have even recorded top 10 finishes including one bronze medal. On a personal level, I became an IM in 2008 and have one Grandmaster norm to date. Off the chess board, I have also written three chess books and done DVDs with Chessbase, as well as completing two marathons! I have been a full time chess coach since 2008 coaching both privately and in schools in the north London area. |
 Andrew Martin FIDE Senior Trainer, International Master. Veteran of many ECF trips. Current ECF Manager of Schools, Junior Clubs and Counties. You Tube Channel here – http://www.youtube.com/user/YMChessMaster |