European Youth Chess Championships - Full Report
The European Youth Chess Championships were held in September this year in Mamiai Romania. Mamia is a Black Sea resort close to Constanta.Our Kent players were Shlok Verma and Shreyas Royal in the U8 Open and Charlie Metcalfe in the U12 Open.
The European Youth is one of the strongest Junior events with some of the worlds best players but especially from countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungry, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.
Shlok and Shreyas were the highest seeded England players and were contenders throughout the event. The level of chess they played was extraordinary and it is often easy to forget they are still U8s. Shlok won his last game to record a great 7/9. Shreyas also won his last game to finish on a wonderful score of 8/9, the joint highest score. A magnificent achievement by both our players and for Shreyas the Silver medal with 2nd overall and only on the head to head tie break. It has been some time since an England junior won a medal which makes his achievement all the more impressive.
The U12 Open was always going to be a tough event with the top seed rated 2351, (roughly 220 ECF.) Most of Charlie's games were over 4 hours with several close games going to the wire. Every point was hard won but he battled to a respectable 5/9, which included a satisfying win in his last game.
From a Kent perspective, this was another event that highlights the strength of Kent Junior Chess. We have England players across our age groups competing in a variety of international events which is testament to the KJCA. The high quality of the Kent coaching, the competitiveness of the Kent Junior events, the commitment of players, their parents and the volunteers at KJCA are all key factors that have helped all our juniors progress.
Well done to Shlok, Shreyas and Charlie.
Shlok and Shreyas were the highest seeded England players and were contenders throughout the event. The level of chess they played was extraordinary and it is often easy to forget they are still U8s. Shlok won his last game to record a great 7/9. Shreyas also won his last game to finish on a wonderful score of 8/9, the joint highest score. A magnificent achievement by both our players and for Shreyas the Silver medal with 2nd overall and only on the head to head tie break. It has been some time since an England junior won a medal which makes his achievement all the more impressive.
The U12 Open was always going to be a tough event with the top seed rated 2351, (roughly 220 ECF.) Most of Charlie's games were over 4 hours with several close games going to the wire. Every point was hard won but he battled to a respectable 5/9, which included a satisfying win in his last game.
From a Kent perspective, this was another event that highlights the strength of Kent Junior Chess. We have England players across our age groups competing in a variety of international events which is testament to the KJCA. The high quality of the Kent coaching, the competitiveness of the Kent Junior events, the commitment of players, their parents and the volunteers at KJCA are all key factors that have helped all our juniors progress.
Well done to Shlok, Shreyas and Charlie.