Five Questions With a Chess Prodigy

Editor’s note: today’s blog post is brought to us by OWL Assistant Editor, Kendra Brown. (Kim will be back on Friday.) Enjoy!

Meet twelve-year-old Ashley Tapp from Vancouver. She’s off to the World Youth Chess Championship in Slovenia next month. But the journey hasn’t been easy. There is little to no funding or sponsorship opportunities currently available to young chess players in Canada, so Ashley spent her summer raising funds to help pay for her trip to Slovenia. Now, she’s continuing to promote the game of chess through her new foundation that supports chess-playing girls.

We got a chance to ask Ashley some questions about her love of the game.

OWL: How did you learn to play chess?

A: I first began playing chess at a drop-in library program in downtown Vancouver and then I played for fun for about three years. After attending a tournament, and doing quite well, I was advised to find a private coach. I’ve had a private coach for about a year now.

OWL: What’s your favourite thing about the game?

A: I really like the challenge. I have to think of tactical moves and understand strategy. I find that exciting because anything can happen in chess, especially if you blunder a piece. The whole game can turn around.

OWL: Why do you believe it’s important for chess to be recognized as a sport?

A: Chess players have to treat their bodies like any other athlete, watching what they eat and exercising every day. That way, their brain is able to work at its best. The game of chess also has rules, players, tournaments, and levels, just like any other sport. It is recognized all around the world as a sport. Many other governments fund chess, and children are able to have chess education in schools and play in tournaments locally, nationally, and internationally without struggling to raise money.

OWL: Do you have any advice for other young chess players?

A: Anyone can try playing chess. It is a great game, a lot of fun, and you get to spend time with friends. Chess also helps with other school subjects. I am sure chess helps my memory. So I would say, play chess, have fun, and look for ways to play in a chess club. If you don’t have a chess club, it is not hard to start one.

To find out more about Ashley and her Foundation for Chess Education and Wellness for Girls, visit her website.

We wish Ashley lots of luck at the World Youth Chess Championship in November!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com