Thirteen-year-old Ethan has become the youngest Ulster Chess champion in history, across all age groups. His victory marks a significant achievement in his chess career.
Ethan's journey into chess began when he was captivated by the game after seeing it played. Although neither of his parents are chess players, his mother, Eimear Savage, noted his immediate fascination with the pieces and board. "It was a chance circumstance that Ethan saw someone play chess and thought it looked interesting and he decided he wanted to play and it went from there," Savage said.
While Ethan's success is largely self-driven, his family provides unwavering support. "I think Ethan just takes it in his stride and that's him. He enjoys playing chess and he enjoys taking part and when he wins it's a bonus," his mother explained. Early in his career, Ethan's height presented a unique challenge. "I remember he wasn't quite tall enough to see over the table and he had to kneel up on the chair to get a good view of the pieces. That was always a bit of a spectacle but people know him now," Savage recalled.
Ethan has represented the Irish team and has participated in tournaments internationally, including events in Paris, the Netherlands, Germany, and Estonia. He reportedly began beating adult players at the age of eight.