CHICAGO (WLS) — Their focus is unwavering. Their decisions are calculated and meticulous. Their love for chess is unmatched.
“Problem solving is what we need in life to help us do stuff,” tournament competitor Antoinette Borketey said.
Young ladies went head-to-head in the 20th annual Kasparov Chess Foundation All-Girls National Chess Championship.
“I usually like playing in tournaments because it’s really fun and I like to practice a lot,” tournament competitor Darya Byelashova said.
Held at tables within McCormick Place, numerous girls from various parts of the country and even globally sat silently opposite their adversaries, meticulously contemplating each move. The silence was palpable.
“The majority of these participants typically spend one to two hours at their chess clubs each week, but they also dedicate additional time to studying on their own,” noted tournament organizer David Heiser. “We have representatives from 33 states present, as well as from the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and we even have an American student from the U.K.”
Beyond the tournament area, sticky notes with words of support were exchanged among the girls. This gesture served as a reminder that everyone is making progress together, no matter how small.
“It doesn’t feel like a competition except for the chess part,” tournament competitor Evelyn Jones said. “You get to make friends with kids from different schools.”
Jones, 8, traveled from New York to play in this weekend’s tournament. She had advice for other girls getting ready to make their first move into competitive chess.
“Just be calm,” Jones said. “When you’re at a big tournament, don’t rush yourself to learn more and more stuff to help get better. Just relax, it helps you do better in the tournament.”
Some wise words from a rising chess queen.
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