Prodigy Shane (5) takes the chess world by storm
[Published: Tuesday 10, July 2007 – 10:40]
By Anna Maguire
A five-year-old prodigy from the North West was today tipped to become ” the George Best of the chess world”.
“I love it up to heaven,” said young Shane Melaugh from Killea on the Derry-Donegal border when asked how he felt about his hobby.
The youngster has now been chosen to represent Ireland against England, Scotland and Wales.
A P2 student at St Eugene’s Primary School, Shane will become the youngest person to represent Ireland for the under-12s team at the Goraney Cup championship in Dublin at the end of July.
“He can’t even read or write and he has been picked to play for Ireland in Dublin,” Shane’s proud mother Linda Melaugh said.
“My da’s been playing for a good few years now so he was the first one to show him how to play.
“He was three then. When he turned four he went into P1 at St Eugene’s.
“They have a chess club there, so I tried to get him in, but they were a bit hesitant to take him at first because of his age.”
Shane’s tutor Alan Penbrook, who has been mentoring students for two decades, said today: “A teacher said to me about Shane joining the chess club but I said I think he’s a bit too young.
“The usual age to join the club is eight, but after a few games I said this wee boy has really got something here, I think he should be playing with the other boys and girls.
“They just couldn’t believe it when they saw him. They all wanted to play with him.
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He’s really smart!
how do they expect him to comply with the primary goal of chess – recording of moves – if he can’t even write the alphabet yet??!!?!!?! FIDE has gone nuts.
I thought the primary goal of chess was to get checkmate.
i am so amazed that Little Shane has come this far.. what a great kid… keep it up Shane!!! Deb in Boston..