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Chessmates International
Ambassadors
Throughout the world, Chessmates International wants to transmit the values ​​of friendship and excellence, through the practice of chess. We are delighted to have ambassadors capable of spreading these values.
Jorden Van Foreest
"I have been familiar with chessmates since 2016 when I attended the event in Rotterdam. The idea of giving young and avid chess players a way to compete against each other in a friendly and social atmosphere has always appealed to me. This is precisely what chessmates does, and I am very happy to become an ambassador." Jorden Van Foreest
ChessMates International since its creation has been promoting international chess meetings between young elites from different nations, in a spirit of exchange and friendship between all participants. Jorden Van Fore is sensitive to this concept in his practice of high-level chess and has agreed to become a ChessMates Ambassador in order to carry our common values, respect, friendships, competitive spirit, surpassing oneself through performance, a strong desire to progress.
Jorden Van Foreest has been an International Grand Master since 2015, he ranks 22nd in Europe and 46th in the world with an Elo of 2690.
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Dutch champion in 2016
Winner of the Prague ChessFestival in 2020
Winner of the Stockfish Challenge in 2020
Winner of Tatasteel Chess in 2021
Gawain Maroroa Jones
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"It was a pleasure to meet you, and an honour to be invited to the event. I'm proud to be an ambassador."
— Gawain Maroroa Jones
ChessMates International is delighted to welcome British Grandmaster Gawain Maroroa Jones as its second ambassador.
A Grandmaster since 2007 and three-time British Champion (2012, 2017, 2024), Gawain is renowned both for his competitive strength and for his commitment to inspiring young players.
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At the 12th ChessMates International Tournament (York, 21-23 March 2025), Gawain gave a simultaneous exhibition and encouraged every junior to push their limits in a friendly spirit of excellence and respect. He now joins Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest to promote ChessMates’ core values worldwide.
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Selected achievements
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- Grandmaster title awarded by FIDE in 2007
- British Chess Champion in 2012, 2017 and 2024
- Peak FIDE rating 2709 (June 2019)
- Winner of the Dubai Open (2016 & 2017), New Zealand Open (2016)
- Silver medal with Team England – World Team Championship 2019