Good Sports: TEENAGE CHESS PHENOM
Advait Patel just turned 13 but is already a two-time Oklahoma state champion and ranked in the top 50 in his age group worldwide. His immense talent is helping bring attention to the game in his home state.
“He was a gift (to Oklahoma),” chess coach Joe Veal told the Associated Press. “The interest in the sport, I think, has risen a lot in the last two years. I think, in all honesty, the golden age of chess has spread to Oklahoma.”
Advait has been playing since he was 7, introduced to the game by his grandfather in India. He has won a number of youth championships but has set his sights much higher. He aspires to become a grandmaster and practices eight hours a day, sometimes blindfolded. He loves the complexity of the game.
“You have to use the mind,” he said. “I guess I’m pretty good at that—strategy.”
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
