… from July 18th to July 2oth, 2016
| Cassie Graham I started playing chess when I was four with my dad, who’s an avid chess player. I quickly developed a love of the game, and I now play for Worthing Chess Club, Sussex Juniors and Sussex Martlets in the 4NCL. I attend Davison School for Girls and enjoy all sport, particularly athletics, hockey, and netball. I would like to thank Sussex Junior Chess for supporting me and especially my dad who is my amazing coach and number one fan. |
Alfie Onslow |
Nadia Jaufarally I started playing chess competitively 2 years ago after my then primary school, Hamilton Primary in Colchester started running an afterschool chess club which my dad encouraged me to join having already taught me the basics of chess at home. Alongside my family, I would like to thank everyone who has encouraged me to carry on playing, especially everyone associated with Essex Junior Chess Association. I currently attend the St Albans Girls School. |
Dominic Holmes Dominic has been playing chess from 4 years of age and entered his first competition aged 6. He has won many local titles including the Staffordshire Junior Championships, and started representing the County as an under 9. He began competing at national tournaments aged 9 and has been competitive at this level notably finishing second at the ESPCA Rapidplay in Liverpool in 2015. He made his debut for England U10’s later that year versus Wales where he played board 2. He was accepted in to the ECF International Chess Academy in 2016 and is keen to play overseas in the coming years. |
Arya Parnian I started to play chess in Grimsby chess club in the year 2014. I would like to thank my dad for helping me attain a better level of chess. I attend Ormiston Maritime Academy. I am the two year reigning champion at the Megafinal and a Gigafinal winner. Also, I am the under 18 champion for North East Lincolnshire. |
Tristian See Tristian started to play chess at the age of 5, after asking his dad to show him some moves. After 3 months he went on to play competitively and had won a number of tournaments. Tristian represented England at World Schools 2013 in Greece and European Youth 2015 in Croatia. He enjoys sports, including football, badminton, and triathlon. He also plays the piano. Tristian would like to thank his family and Mr G Bhat for their support and encouragement. Tristian attends Waterbeach Community Primary School in Cambridge. |
Callum Brewer I started going to tournaments and taking chess seriously when I was 9 and I have been in the England Team since I was 11. I love the opportunities to travel that chess has given me and I have made loads of friends across the country over the years. I attend Dorothy Stringer Secondary School in Brighton and I would like to thank my grandparents for sponsoring and supporting me with all my trips and training. |
| 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 established in 2013. |
Christopher Tombolis Christopher started playing at the age of 6. His first introduction into tournaments was the Delancey UK chess challenge and has been a Gigafinal winner twice. Christopher was the U8 British Champion in 2013, U10 London Junior chess champion in 2015, English U8 Junior Rapidplay champion in 2013 and 2014. Christopher has represented his school, Colet Court, and achieved a bronze medal at the EPSCA U9 schools final playing on board 1. He represents Richmond and Ealing regularly. He would like to thank his coach Tom Rendle for all his help over the last 2 years |
| Anita Somton |
Oliver Howell Oli’s proudest achievements have been his 2 winning appearances in the England Stokes Cup team, and in particular his last round Bd 2 win with black in Ireland last year to win the Cup when a draw would have seen Wales as champions. He won the Gibraltar 2015 under-12 blitz prize, and was one win away from both the British U12 title and runner-up at the immensely strong Gibraltar junior (longplay) last year. He has played over 100 games for England, and was previously Sussex under-11 champion on 2 occasions, and has won several International and National Individual and Team titles for England, his schools and for Sussex Juniors over the years. He is pictured with the Stokes Cup and his individual Board Prize from Ireland 2015. |
Thomas Ng I am in Year 5 at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School. I started playing chess competitively at the age of 8 and I came joint 3rd in the 2015 British Junior Rapidplay. I play for my school team and last year we became the NPSCC U9 Champions. I also played in the 2015 Gibraltar Junior Chess Festival where I met many new friends and had the opportunity to play against some top international players. This year I was selected to be in the ECF Chess Academy International Program where I have learnt a lot and have had so much fun. I would like to thank all of my coaches especially IM Ravikumar, IM Lorin D’costa, IM Gyula Mészáros and GM Nick Pert and also my family for allowing me to enjoy this experience. I also enjoy maths, gymnastics and playing the piano and the violin. |
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. Mercifully, Laneshaw Bridge Primary School, the Lancashire Chess Association and Pontins have since given Joe a healthy context for pursuing his love of chess. He’d like to thank Dave Gaston, Mike Conroy, Bill O’Rourke and Sarah Hegarty for their encouragement and support. |
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 2016 U14 National Chess Junior Squad Champion, Winning 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. |
Asha Jina I was taught to play chess by my dad at the age of 5, after which I joined Harpenden Junior Chess Club. Soon I began to play in tournaments, then for Hertfordshire and England Teams. I have represented England at the European Youths in Bulgaria (2011), World Schools in Greece (2013) and European Schools in Greece (2014). I also travelled to Rotterdam with the National Junior Squad in 2015. I won the British U13 Girls Chess Champion title in 2014. I would like to thank my parents, my brother Taran, my chess coaches, my teachers and headteacher Mr Henshall (at Roundwood Park School) who have supported me, and everyone that has helped me to develop as a chess player. |
Taran Jina I was introduced to chess by my dad when I was 7 and then joined Harpenden Junior Chess Club. Soon after, I began to play tournaments and as I improved I started to play for Hertfordshire and finally England. My main achievements include representing England in Greece in 2013 and 2014, playing for the National Chess Junior Squad in Prague (2012) and Rotterdam (2015), and finishing 2nd in last year’s British U16 Championship. I play as much sport as I can, particularly football and cricket. I would to thank my parents, Asha (my sister), the rest of my very supportive family, my chess coach, and the wider chess community that have supported and encouraged me. I would also like to thank Mr. Henshall, the headteacher at Roundwood Park School. |
Holden Davis I’ve been playing chess since the age of 7 and competitive chess since the age of 10. I attend Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith. I have represented England at the Gibraltor Chess Festival and the Basamro Chess Tournament in Rotterdam and I regularly compete in other chess touraments such as playing for Cambridge University in the 4NCL. As well as playing in the UKChess Challenge, where I came joint fifth in the 2015 Terafinal, I enjoy representing my home town of Penrith, Cumbria. I also enjoy climbing, rugby and the music of Peter Gabriel. I would like to sign off by saying a big thank you to all those who have supported me on my chess journey including Kevin Southernwood and my coach Sabrina Chevannes, in addition to my Mum, Dad and brother Miles. |
John Wall Durham Under 18 Champion, 2016. Student at George Stephenson High School, Killingworth. Member of Forest Hall Chess Club. |
| Emily Green |
| Michael Green |
| Tim Lewis |
Robert Akeya-Price Bobby is 10 years old and has previously represented England in international tournaments. He is pleased to be selected to take a part in the Glorney Gilbert Cup, and is determined to give his best performance. |
Naomi Wei Naomi started playing chess at school when she was 10 years old. She qualified for the National Chess Junior Squad in 2014 after becoming joined winner of U14 London Junior Chess Championship. She is now playing for Wanstead Chess Club in London League and Essex League, and for Barbican in 4NCL. In addition to chess, Naomi enjoys music and plays both piano and cello in her spared time. Naomi is also a mathematician. She has won top prizes in every level’s UKMT maths competitions since year 6, including being top scorer in UK Maths Olympiad for Girls and winning medals in British Maths Olympiad. This year she was selected to attend UKMT International Maths Olympiad Training Camp at Trinity College, Cambridge. After Trinity Camp she won a silver medal for UK at the 5th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad in Romania. |
| Lucy Bennet-Stevens |
| Avi Gogna Avi started playing chess at the age of 6 and has played for his school, borough & county regularly since. He qualified for the England team in 2015. Apart from playing chess, Avi is a keen sportsman and enjoys a wide range of sports – in particular cricket & football. He would like to thank the support he has had from all the chess coaches ,but in particular Mr Ravi Kumar, who has been a constant source of encouragement. |
| Aman Gogna Aman started playing chess at the age of 5. He has played regularly for his school, borough & county. He started playing for England in 2015. Aman is a keen sportsman, and plays a number of sports regularly, in particular cricket , which he plays at club level. He would like to thank his coaches Ms Angela Eyton & Mr Ravi Kumar, who have been a source of great inspiration & encouragement. |
| Matthew Forster |
| Aditya Munshi Adi is a student of Nottingham High school. He has represented England in various international tournaments in his age group and performed well at the World Schools and the World Youth chess championships. He would like to thank all his coaches. Adi also loves cricket, badminton, table tennis and ‘clash of clans’. |
| Pramoth Ragavan I started playing competitively when I was 10 and have since loved chess. I play for my school (King’s College Junior School, Wimbledon), Surrey and Ealing Juniors. Outside of chess, I enjoy table tennis and martial arts. I would like to thank Sainbayar Tserendorj, Susan Lalic, Yang-Fan Zhou and Matthew Hortin for all their support. |
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 the Glorney Cup. 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. |
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 Pauls Girls’ School. She has been most inspired by her close family, who initiated her love of the game. |
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. |
| Zoe Varney |
Mikey Watson Mikey has been playing chess competitively for the last five years and he is pleased to be representing England as part of the team for the Glorney cup. He has previously played for England in the Commonwealth championships in Glasgow and also at the tournament of the Talents in the Czech Republic. Mikey goes to Knole Academy in Sevenoaks, Kent. His favourite subject is maths and he also enjoys being part of the school choir. He would like to thank everyone who supports him with his chess. In particular GM Chris Ward and GM John Emms and all his friends at Kent Junior Chess. Mikey enjoys working to improve his game and also helping younger players. |
Gautam Jain Gautam started playing chess when he was a primary schooler at Heathside Prep. He is currently studying at University College School. In addition to chess, he enjoys playing football. |
Elizabeth Ivanov I started playing chess when I was 9 and have been to the European School Team Championships in Russia in 2012 from my primary school, Heathside Prep. As well as chess, I enjoy ice skating, army cadets and water polo. I would like to thank my chess coach Loz Cooper since World youth chess championship 2013, all my team mates from 4NCL Cambridge Uni. and my school chess teacher IM Lorin D’Costa. I go to North London Collegiate School. |
| 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. As well as being the current West of England Under 18 Champion, Michael became the Under 15 British Champion in 2014 and followed this by becoming Under 16 British Champion in 2015. He also represented the ECF in the World Youth Championships in Greece later that year. 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 his teacher at Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Ian Robson. |
| Robert Ashworth Robert started playing chess at age 7. In 2012 he qualified for the National Chess Junior Squad and in the same year was also the Under 11 Champion at the UK Chess Challenge Terafinal Challengers event. He is the current Under 16 West of England Champion and has recently returned from the Czech Republic after representing the National Junior Squad there. He has also represented England in the Glorney Cup in 2013 and is excited to have the opportunity to do so again. Robert would like to thank Richard & John Jones for their support at primary school and Wotton Hall chess club. He would also like to thank his teacher at Sir Thomas Rich’s secondary school, Ian Robson. |
| George Ivanov I started playing chess when I was 7 and have played in a few tournaments abroad. My first international tournament was European School Team Championships in Russia in 2012 from my primary school, Heathside Prep. As well as chess, I enjoy playing Shogi, table tennis and video games. I would like to thank Ravi Kumar who is teaching me in Queens Elizabeth’s School, Barnet. |
| Zheming Zhang |
| Coaches Adam Hunt, Andrew Martin, Lawrence Cooper and Sarah Longson |