Ten-year-old chess ace from Harpenden to represent England
8:50am Friday 26th August 2011
By Manisha Mistry
A QUICK-THINKING Harpenden girl has proved she is a whizz at chess after being chosen to represent England in the European Championships.
Chess ace Asha Jina has been selected by the English Chess Federation to play at the European Youth Chess Championships in Albena, Bulgaria.
The ten-year-old, who attends Wood End Primary School in Harpenden, started playing chess four years ago with her brother Taran at the Harpenden Junior Chess Club.
Although she was initially anxious at the being the only girl, Asha began to show early promise with a victory against a 14-year-old player.
She then played for the Hertfordshire Under 9 team at the age of six. She has since represented England South East regional teams and won a number of trophies at local and national tournaments.
Asha said: “I was really pleased to be selected to play for England and I am really excited about going to Bulgaria. I have been working very hard and look forward to some good games of chess against the strongest players from countries like Russia and Ukraine.”
Her selection followed impressive performances in tournaments, which involved travelling the country and competing against some of the strongest junior players in England. She has been preparing by tackling puzzles and practising with Taran, 11, who has also represented England in the past.
Source: http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk
Good luck Asha.