Teen ready to take on chess world
Santham Pillay
Published: Jul 18, 2009
Durban chess whizz-kid Tasnim Amra is set to employ her best moves at the World Youth Chess Tournament in Turkey in November.
Amra, a 13-year-old Gordon Road Girls’ School pupil, qualified for the international competition by winning the girls’ under-14 category of the African Youth Chess Championship in Cape Town last month.
Amra, a Grade 7 pupil, competed against players from around Africa, earning the title of Woman Fide Master, awarded by the World Chess Federation to players who reach a certain rating in international tournaments. Her passion for the game began in Grade 2 when she had to choose an after-school activity.
After deciding on computers, she was told the club was full and was placed in the chess group. She has not looked back since.
Her parents, Amina, a stay-at-home mom, and optometrist father Mahmood, are “very proud” of their only child and take turns accompanying her to international tournaments, including trips to Georgia, India and Turkey.
Amra said she would practise hard to keep on top of her game ahead of the world tournament.
“I have been practising a lot and working hard. I am going to do my best for my country,” she said.
She said she was most enthusiastic about competing against international opponents.
“I am really excited about the whole trip, but mainly about going and playing against people from all over the world.”
Source: http://www.thetimes.co.za
Is she good?