E&C Chess Fighters

♟️After a year of hard work, dedication and countless hours at the chessboard, we are now just THREE stops away from the biggest stage in British junior chess... 🇬🇧♟️

With less than one month to go until the 2026 British Chess Championships at the University of Warwick (1–9 August), excitement is building across the E&C Chess Fighters team. More than 1,000 players from across the UK are expected to compete, making it the biggest event on the British chess calendar.

But before we arrive in Coventry, we have two fantastic challenges ahead:

🏆 18 July – Delancey UK Schools' Chess Challenge Southern Gigafinal
📍 Sandown Racecourse, Esher
A huge milestone where our young players will battle for qualification to the Terafinal at Blenheim Palace. Only the very best players in each age group qualify, making it one of the strongest and most prestigious junior chess events in the UK.

🏆 26 July – 5th Sussex University Chess Tournament
📍 University of Sussex
Another excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience against strong opposition just one week before the national championships.

🇬🇧 1–9 August – British Chess Championships
📍 University of Warwick, Coventry

Three tournaments.
Three opportunities to learn.
Three opportunities to grow.

At E&C Chess Fighters, every tournament is another step in our journey. We are incredibly proud of how far our young players have come, and we can't wait to represent our club on some of the biggest stages in junior chess.

Let's make this summer one to remember!

https://suchess.co.uk/tournament.html

https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/

https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/

💙♟️ English Chess Federation

♟️🏨 A Fantastic Stay at Holiday Inn Express St. Albans - M25, Jct.22! 🏨♟️

Travelling around the country for chess tournaments means we spend a lot of time in hotels, and it's always a pleasure when you find a place that makes you feel genuinely welcome.

During our latest tournament weekend, we had a wonderful stay at Holiday Inn Express St. Albans - M25, Jct.22.

One of the highlights was unexpectedly meeting one of England's strongest junior girls, Larissa Cuthbert. Emma and Cosmin were delighted to chat with her, and she couldn't have been kinder. Thank you, Larissa, for taking the time to speak with them—you've left them with a lovely memory from the weekend! ♟️😊

Another big highlight was the exceptional hospitality from Marika at the hotel. From the moment we arrived until we checked out, she went above and beyond to make sure our family felt welcome. Her kindness, professionalism and genuine care made a real difference to our stay.

Excellent customer service is something people remember long after they've left, and Marika is a wonderful example of that.

A huge thank you to everyone at Holiday Inn Express St. Albans - M25, Jct.22 for helping make our tournament weekend even more enjoyable.

We look forward to visiting again in the future!

⭐ Highly recommended!

&C Chess Fighters

♟️ CHESS PUZZLE OF THE DAY ♟️

💥 White to move... and mate in 2!

This isn't a computer-generated position or a famous grandmaster puzzle...

🔥 This position comes from a real blitz game played by Cosmin!

After a series of bold sacrifices and attacking ideas, White reached this beautiful position.

🤔 Can you find the winning continuation?

⏱️ Challenge: White to move and mate in 2.

We'll reveal the solution later.

♟️ Think deeper. Stay calm. Finish the game with confidence.

♟️🏆 Last weekend was another memorable one for Team E&C Chess Fighters at the AlphaChess FIDE Triathlon II in North London!

Emma and Cosmin both produced outstanding performances against strong opposition and once again showed that hard work and dedication pay off.

🌟 Emma had an exceptional Classical tournament, scoring a perfect 3 wins out of 3 games in Pool B. She finished tied for 1st place and achieved an incredible performance rating of over 2100.

⚡ Cosmin delivered another fantastic performance in the Blitz, battling his way through a very competitive field to become Pool B Blitz Champion. His tactical awareness and fighting spirit were on full display throughout the event.

Both children represented E&C Chess Fighters with pride, sportsmanship and determination, taking on older and higher-rated opponents across all three formats.

A huge thank you to for organising another excellent event and to everyone who continues to support Emma and Cosmin on their chess journey.

The hard work continues, one move at a time. ♟️💙

Casa Varvara La Moviliță CC Golf Academy

Brilliant Emma and Cosmin the Tactician are in action at the AlphaChess FIDE Triathlon II.

♟️🏆 E&C Chess Fighters are heading to the 2026 AlphaChess FIDE Triathlon II! 🏆♟️

This weekend we swap normal tournament chess for something a little different...

🔥 Two full days of chess
🔥 18 rated games
🔥 Three different time controls
🔥 One Chess Triathlon!

The AlphaChess FIDE Triathlon is one of the most innovative events on the UK chess calendar, challenging players across all three formats:

♟️ Standard Chess – 3 rounds (80+10)
⚡ Rapid Chess – 6 rounds (10+5)
🚀 Blitz Chess – 9 rounds (3+2)

That means our players will need to demonstrate not only good chess, but also adaptability, time management and stamina over an intense weekend of competition.

We are delighted that Cosmin Cojocaru and Emma Cojocaru will be representing E&C Chess Fighters alongside players from across England and beyond at the fantastic:

📍 Wyllyotts Theatre
Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane,
Potters Bar, EN6 2JD

The event has attracted a very strong field, with players ranging from beginners to titled competitors, creating an excellent learning opportunity for our young chess fighters.

A huge thank you to the team at for organising such an exciting and innovative event.

If you're looking for a weekend packed with chess, there is still time to enter and join the action!

https://alphachess.co.uk/events/triathlon

Good luck to all players taking part! 💪♟️

♟️𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗡

𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦?🏆

⛳ Yesterday, Emma and Cosmin stepped onto the golf course, where concentration, discipline and decision-making were just as important as they are at the chessboard.

🏆 Emma won the Under 9 category.
🥈 Cosmin finished 2nd in the Under 7 category.

Both children competed in the Worthing Junior Academy Open at Worthing Golf Club part of the Sussex Junior Golf Development Tour, and we couldn't be prouder of them.

A huge thank you to Calum Callan and CC Golf Academy for coaching, encouragement, and support they provide week after week. The children's development in golf is a direct reflection of the passion and expertise Calum brings to every session.

Worthing Golf Club provided a fantastic setting for the event. A beautiful course, stunning views across the Sussex coastline, and a challenge that demanded concentration, patience, and good decision-making from every young golfer.

And that's where the connection with chess begins.

Many people see chess and golf as completely different activities.

We don't.

Both require:
♟️ Thinking ahead
⛳ Making good decisions under pressure
♟️ Patience and discipline
⛳ Staying calm after mistakes
♟️ Confidence in your plan
⛳ Trusting your preparation

Before every chess move there is a thought.

Before every golf shot there should be one too.

At E&C Chess Fighters, we believe chess is one of the most powerful training tools a child can have — not just for chess, but for sport, education, and life itself.

The goal isn't simply to raise stronger chess players.

The goal is to help raise confident thinkers, resilient competitors, and active children who are ready for whatever challenge comes next.

Congratulations Emma and Cosmin. Whether it's a chessboard or a golf course, your hard work continues to shine. 💙

♟️ PUZZLE OF THE DAY ♟️

Black to move.

A passed pawn can be one of the most powerful weapons in chess... but only if you know how to use it!

Can you find the best continuation and show how Black takes advantage of the passed pawn?

💭 Take your time, calculate carefully, and post your answer in the comments before reading anyone else's!

📖 Position from Donchenko–Mishra, FIDE Grand Swiss 2023.

Good luck, Chess Fighters! ⚔️♟️

🏆♟️ DOUBLE GIGAFINAL QUALIFICATION FOR E&C CHESS FIGHTERS! ♟️🏆

What a fantastic day at the Sussex Megafinal for Emma and Cosmin! ☀️

Both children officially qualified for the Gigafinals after battling through strong opposition in one of the UK’s biggest junior chess competitions — the Delancey UK Schools’ Chess Challenge! 🔥

🥇 Cosmin needed 4/6 points to qualify…
He scored an incredible 5/6 and also won the Under 7 trophy! 🏆♟️

👏 Emma needed 3.5/6 points to qualify…
And she showed great determination and composure to achieve exactly 3.5/6 and secure her Gigafinal place as well! 💪♟️

These moments are special not just because of trophies or qualification spots, but because of the journey behind them:
hours of training, learning from losses, staying calm under pressure, shaking hands with opponents, and always trying to improve ❤️

Seeing both children proudly representing E&C Chess Fighters makes all the hard work worthwhile.

A huge thank you to the organisers, arbiters, volunteers, parents, and everyone helping junior chess continue to grow in such a positive way.

Next stop… the GIGAFINALS! 👀🔥♟️

🔗 Sussex Megafinal Results:
U7/U8 Section:
https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1419589.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=ENG&turdet=YES&SNode=S0

U10 Section:
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1419591.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=ENG&turdet=YES&SNode=S0

♟️

☀️♟️ Sunshine, smiles, friendship… and serious preparation underway at E&C Chess Fighters!

With the beautiful weather finally here, the children took their training outside today as we continue getting ready for one of the biggest junior chess events of the year — the Sussex Megafinal! 🔥

From opening preparation to tactical battles and learning how to stay focused under pressure, every session is another step forward on the chess journey. What makes it even more special is seeing the children enjoying the process together, supporting each other, shaking hands before battle, and building friendships through chess ❤️♟️

The Sussex Megafinal is part of the amazing Delancey UK Schools’ Chess Challenge — one of the largest junior chess competitions in the world, giving young players the chance to test themselves against strong opposition from across the region.

If you would like to check out the event or enter, here is the official page:

https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/

At E&C Chess Fighters we believe chess is about much more than results:
♟️ Confidence
♟️ Discipline
♟️ Patience
♟️ Thinking ahead
♟️ Learning how to win — and how to improve after losses

And days like this remind us why junior chess is so special ☀️💚