Caroline Zhu, TX – 1681 (Highest rating 1697)
I started playing chess when I was in kindergarten. I learned to play the game in the after school where we had a group chess lesson. I won the 1st place trophy and cup in the Texas Girls Scholastic Chess Championship when I was eight years old in 2004.
From then on, my parent realized that I might have some talent in chess, and send me to take chess lessons from GM Babakuli Annakov at his home. He is a great teacher. I’ve enjoyed taking chess lessons, and learn a lot from him with plenty of fun. I won 2nd place in the 9th Annual Grade Championship Nov. 2005, got 1st place in the Texas Region III Scholastic Chess Championship in January, 2006. I also received 2nd place in the US Junior Open in July, 2006.
I love to play chess and win trophies. I will keep practice and win more and bigger trophies.
‘I will keep practice and win more and bigger trophies.’
The American way
Caroline just finished in 2nd place in the 10 and Under Division at the All Girls National in Chicago. Congratulations, Caroline.
Now, now, let’s not get too perjorative. The first Anonymous should note that this isn’t just the American way – go to any kid’s home who has had some success in athletics or other competitive activities and you’ll find medals, trophies and certificates, so let’s not be hard on her – it’s like a team of little kids who want to win so that they can stop off for pizza afterwards – it is a simple childlike expression of her happiness with her success. If it were a grown adult who is not a professional expressing the notion that the only reason he or she plays is to win trophies then we would all find it a bit sad.