FM frenzy

At the Riga Open in Latvia, between 5 and 11 August, Alan Merry scored 5½ points out of nine, gaining 24 rating points to take his Elo to 2310.   He has now gained the FM (FIDE Master) title, at the tender age of 16.

But he is not the only youngster in Suffolk to have an FM title.   Nor is he the highest-rated junior in the county….

Justin Tan, from Australia, is starting this term at Woodbridge School under Adam Hunt’s tutelage.   He already has a rating of 2333 and is four months younger than Alan!

Alan’s ECF grade is 227, whilst Justin is 229.   Suffolk has never seen such talent at this age.