After appearing with Mike Sargent on BBC Breakfast TV in the Eastbourne College
Long Room on October 17th, David travelled by Royal Navy helicopter to Guildford,
Wokingham, Leicester and the Art of Chess exhibition at Somerset House. He enjoyed
enthusiastic receptions at each school, and took part in individual and simultaneous
events, and even a human chess game! This tiring but fantastic day concluded
with games against other members of the England 2003 World Youth Championship
squad at the brand-new City Inn Hotel, Westminster. David's travels were broadcast
throughout the day on BBC News and CBBC Newsround.
Picture Gallery
Suited up for the adventure – David Howell ready for the first take-off
It is all for Barnardos
and the National Chess Week
The action whips up enormous media interest
A typical reception for David
Everyone wants a photo with a Royal Navy helicopter
With mother Angie Howell
About David
David Howell was born in Eastbourne on 14 November 1990 and has been playing
chess since the age of five years and eight months, when he quickly learned
to defeat his father following the purchase of a second-hand set at a jumble
sale. He has been the British Under-8, Under-9 and Under-10 champion and now
plays mostly in open adult tournaments, unless he is representing England in
the World and European Junior Championships.
In August 1999, David became famous internationally when he broke the world
record for the youngest player to have defeated a Grandmaster in an official
game. He defeated GM Dr John Nunn in a blitz game at the Mind Sports Olympiad.
David still holds this record. He is also the youngest player in the world to
have qualified to compete in a national chess championship, taking part in the
British championship in August 2000.
In 2001, David came joint first in the European Under-12 Championship and joint
second in the World Under-12 Championship. He is now a FIDE Master (FM) with
a current rating of 2381. In the 2001-2 Hastings Challengers tournament, David
became the youngest ever British player to defeat a grandmaster in classical
chess when he beat GM Colin McNab. In November 2002 David won the Under-12 bronze
medal in the World Youth Chess Championships, Heraklion, Crete.
David has appeared on Breakfast TV, Blue Peter, Nickelodeon, Good Morning America,
Richard and Judy, Britain’s Brilliant Prodigies and several local news
programmes. During the last few years, David has played in France, Greece, Spain,
Czech Republic, Belgium, Ireland, Hungary, Serbia-Montenegro, Singapore, Malaysia
and the USA.
While chess is his main interest, David enjoys playing football, rugby, squash,
table tennis and Playstation, among other things. He is a loyal Manchester United
supporter, and is keen on reading JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien and Philip Pullman.
His favourite bands are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, the White Stripes
and the Manic Street Preachers. His ambitions are to gain his third and final
International Master norm, to become a Grandmaster, and to continue playing
chess internationally.
