Introduction

EPSCA runs an England Under 11 team. The manager is Mike Forster.

To be eligible for selection in 2026 players should have been 9 or 10 on 31 August 2025 (i.e. born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2016).

Entry to the team trial, expected to be held at Liverpool College on 25 & 26 April, is by invitation only. There are two routes to receiving an invitation:

Invitation by nomination

The selectors write to each affiliated association nearer to the time to the trial. Each affiliated association may then nominate their board one player providing they are of the correct age. If the board one player is one of our preselected players (or too young) then board two may be nominated.

Please note, if an association’s board one qualifies through the tournament system, that association DOES NOT get another nomination.

Invitation through good performance at tournaments

Players of the correct age may qualify through good performances at the pre-selection tournaments.

Even if a player is going to be nominated we would strongly recommend that they play in at least two of the selection tournaments.

If you have any comments or questions about the EPSCA England teams please contact team manager, Mike Forster, email selectors@epsca.org.uk

Pre-trial tournaments for 2026

The events listed below will count as pre-trial qualifiers. To receive an invitation for the trial a player must win one of these events (multiple ties do not always count) or gain a score of over 50% (eg 3.5\6, 3\5 etc) in at least two of them. In most cases there will be an EPSCA Council member there who can advise but your only certain advice is from a selector (Mike Forster, Victor Cross, Peter Purland). NEVER listen to other parents – it has caused disappointment in the past.

To enter an event please go to the appropriate website.

The Events

28-30 December 2025 London Junior Chess Congress U12 MAJOR FINAL (qualification required)

31 January, 1 February 2026 South of England Junior Chess Congress

8 February 2026 Elstree Junior Chess Tournament

13-15 February 2026 Blackpool Chess Conference Enter adult section that best fits your grade. You will need 3/5. Peter Purland will be there.

TBA Nottingham Rapidplay

2025 U11 team

The manager’s report for 2025 is here.

Blitz Flanders 2025