Chess is making the moves
ELEVEN-year-old Aaron Fahey is the most improved junior chess player in Queensland.
This is according to the Queensland Junior Rating List which rates some 2,500 juniors every two months.
Aaron's rating is 970, up a staggering 450 points this year.
And his mates from the Gladstone Chess Club are right up there with him. Coming in second is Josh Stanton who picked up 190 points & third is Isaac Fahey, picking up 143 points. Kyle Stevens, also from the Gladstone Chess Club improved his rating by 51 points & came in 25th on the list.
Mark Stokes, President of the Chess Association of Queensland said the rating list reflects how well players have been performing in recent tournaments & gives a good indication of their playing ability & strengths.
The Gladstone juniors have been very strong in recent tournaments. Junior members have competed in the Gold Coast Open, Queensland Junior Championships, Mackay Open & also the Bundaberg Open.
President of the Gladstone Chess Club & former Central Queensland Champion, Louie Radovanovic is most impressed with the junior's games. "They are challenging me in some very serious games now."
The junior players are confident of success in the upcoming Gladstone Open Chess Tournament which will be held on the weekend of 13 & 14 October. Some of Queensland's best adults & juniors will be playing, but everyone will be keeping a close eye on the Gladstone juniors.
Player Profile - Aaron Fahey
Age - 11
Age when started playing chess - 5, & played in first tournament at the age of 8
Why do you enjoy playing chess? - Chess is a fun game & no two games are the same. You can play a lightning game (5 minutes) or longer games which can go for a few hours.
Who do you like to play against? - I like to play against everyone. I like to play against & also watch the games of players with a rating around 2000. They are very skilled. I also like to play against the computer & ipod.
How often do you play chess? - Every day always
When is your next big tournament? - Gladstone Open is on 13 & 14 October & then the following weekend our St Johns Primary School Team are going to Brisbane to play in the Interschool Finals. That is going to be really exciting. We are hoping to improve from last year's Finals.
What do you like to do when you're not playing chess? - I love to play tennis & ride the quad bike
