Africa-Press – Kenya. Elizabeth Cassidy, a 9-year-old student, has qualified for the World Youth Chess championship to be held in Greece.
The event will be held between May 2 to May 11.
This is after she secured a ticket by emerging top in the recent 2020 Africa Schools Individual Chess champion which was played online.
She was able to outsmart other African opponents in the under 9 Girls category.
Many chess tournaments scheduled in 2020 were cancelled due to the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic. This prompted the Chess Kenya Federation to conduct various competitions online.
Speaking to The Nation, Cassidy however, noted the difficulties that came with online competition.
“When you play online, you spend so much time looking at the screen and the light might affect your eyesight.
“So I prefer playing on the board,” she stated.
She further pointed out changes in her training regimen due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Cassidy added that restricted movement due to the pandemic prompted her to train at home with the help of her father Peter Maina.
The student was also proud to show off her numerous gold medals, won in various competitions, which hang around her neck.
Maina lauded the government for embracing talents under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He noted that times are changing and encouraged parents to guide and nurture the skills of their children where necessary.
“We as parents should not just focus on education, if you find that your daughter or son has a talent, ensure you support them,” he said.
