Seven of Malta’s brightest young chess talents have just returned from the European Youth Chess Championship 2025 in Budva, Montenegro and they’ve made the island incredibly proud.Competing across categories from U8 to U16, our juniors faced some of the strongest youth players in Europe in a demanding 9-round tournament. Despite the fierce competition, Malta’s players impressed with their discipline, determination and outstanding performances.Here are the standout results from Team Malta:Matthew Portelli – U14 OpenScored 5/9, defeating a 2300+ FIDE Master and holding draws against higher-rated players. A phenomenal achievement for a 14-year-old.Leonardo Zangrilli – U16 OpenFinished with 3/9, securing wins over players rated above 2000. His performance showed exceptional composure against older opponents.John Refalo – U12 OpenScored 3.5/9, holding his ground against players up to 2000 rating. Strong, consistent play throughout.Keshav Reyansh – U10 OpenScored 3/9, including a draw against a 1813-rated opponent. Impressive for a 10-year-old facing much more experienced competition.Nikol Borg – U08 OpenFinished with an incredible 5/9, bouncing back from early losses to win five rounds. A standout performance from Malta’s youngest competitor.Yunlong Wang – Girls U14Scored 3/9 and gained 20 Elo points, beating strong international opponents and showcasing huge potential.Hayley Thornton – Girls U14Scored 3/9, competing bravely in a challenging and highly rated field.These achievements reflect the rapid growth of Malta’s youth chess scene. Many of these players train several times a week, study openings and strategies, and compete regularly – and their hard work is clearly paying off.The delegation was organised by the Malta Chess Federation, with Nina Thornton accompanying and supporting the team throughout the championship.Malta could not be prouder of these young athletes. Their passion, discipline and sportsmanship show that the future of Maltese chess is brighter than ever.•