Auvray chose chess over soccer
THE DECISION
August 12, 2011
This story was originally posted on TropiGol.com on June 14, 2011 and is used with permission.
KANSAS CITY — Growing up, Stephane Auvray was the master of two games — chess and soccer.
He choose sports over the board game and has wound up as the captain of the Guadeloupe National Team and a midfielder for Sporting Kansas City.
“I was too young to have a career in chess at the time,” Auvray said. “I was good. I was very good. It was still for the fun. It was not like I had plans.”
But in many ways, soccer can be compared to chess. When a player has the ball, he or she has so many options, not unlike the board game.
“That’s what some people say, I guess in the anticipation,” Auvray said. “It was a long time ago. I like to play with my kids for fun.”
Born on Guadeloupe, Auvray moved to France when he was 14 to play in a football school. He spent seven years with Caen in Normandy, working his way to the first team. He played in France before joining Kansas City.
“I really wanted a change for personal reasons for my family,” he said, adding that Kansas City saw him perform during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
More here.
I maybe missing something, but after I read this article a few times, it looks to me that this young man ended up choosing soccer over chess.
I doubt if he was as good in chess as he is in soccer. Guadeloupe doesn’t have much of a chess community so I’m not sure who he compared himself too.
He could have chosen both!
Samba Chess combines the movements of traditional chess with the strategies of soccer. Passing, spacing and defending are important. Scoring goals wins games!
sambachess.com
http://youtu.be/1GTKPnqhGl0