Young Overberg chess champ back from Greece
YOUNG Overberg chess champ Tayden McKenzie has been hailed for flying the South African flag high, on his return from the youth championships held in Rhodes, Greece this month.
The World Cadets and Youth Championships for Rapid and Blitz were held for three consecutive days from May 1 with the participation of 331 players from 40 countries.
Tayden received a hero’s welcome on his return to the country yesterday.
His proud father Tyrol Mackenzie said he was still amazed by his son’s drive and passion for the game.
“He was still in Grade 1 when his teacher noticed that he was really good with maths, so she asked him to attend the chess team to see if he’d like it.
“My wife and I were very surprised because Tayden was a very active and restless child, and for him to sit and focus was a challenge. But the chess teacher gave him notes to go through at home.
“He asked me to assist. I took out a very small chess set and we sat down,” he said.
Mackenzie said the passion for chess continued from then.
“In 2018, he attended the Overberg Chess Federation tournaments and began winning. After the tournament, he just went from winning most of his tournaments.
“He was selected in 2019 to go to Panama in South America, but due to
Covid-19, he could not travel. He won the sports award at the Overberg Chess Federation as the best junior chess player. He was only 9 years then.”