GMGawain C B Maroroa Jones

Gawain Maroroa Jones was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and learned chess at four. He began entering tournaments at six and made newspaper headlines in 1997 by beating an international master. After representing England in world junior and youth events, he became a grandmaster in 2007. He has lived in Italy, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand as well as Britain. His tournament victories include the 2011 Commonwealth Championship and Hastings 2012-13.

He won the British championship in 2012 and 2017, then added a third title in 2024 after a playoff against David Howell. Consecutive Dubai Open victories in 2016 and 2017 made him the event's first repeat winner. He helped England win silver at the 2019 World Team Championship and also earned individual silver on board four. He won the 2024 London Chess Classic unbeaten. His chess writing includes books on the Sicilian Dragon and the Grand Prix Attack. He was married to New Zealand international Sue Maroroa, with whom he had two children. After her death in 2023, he began competing under the combined surname Maroroa Jones in 2025.