Check him out: Scots schoolboy taking the chess world by storm
● Glasgow pupil, 11, set to play for Scotland at global championships
Aryan Munshi, an 11-year-old schoolboy from Glasgow, who has been playing chess for more than half his life, is heading to Weifang in China to represent Scotland against some of the world’s best young chess players.
With the distractions of games consoles, apps and social media it’s never been harder for children to acquire the patience and concentration needed to master chess.
Yet an 11-year-old schoolboy from Glasgow, who has been playing the game for more than half his life, has done just that, and is heading to Weifang in eastern China to represent Scotland against some of the world’s best young chessplayers.
Aryan Munshi, an S1 pupil at Kelvinside Academy in the city, will compete in the under-12s level next month after being spotted by national team selectors, who view him as a potential grandmaster.
Aryan, who was taught to play chess by his father when he was only five years old, will compete in the elite chess tournament comprising 11 rounds held over 12 days.
He said a great deal of what he had achieved was down to the support he had received from others over the years.
“I feel really proud to have been selected to participate in the World Cadets Chess Championship,” he said. “Although when I compete, I’m out there on my own, I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of my parents, coaches, teachers and teammates.
“I am extremely lucky to be able to travel the world playing the game I love. I hope I can do Kelvinside Academy and my country proud.”
Earlier this month, Aryan travelled to Manchester to take part in the Gigafinals for Delancey UK Schools’ Chess Challenge – the world’s largest chess competition. His performance in the under-11 age category earned him a place in the Challengers’ round and a shot at reaching the Terafinal.
Aryan also won the Supremo Trophy at the Megafinal for under-11 boys earlier this year.
Dan Wyatt, rector at Kelvinside Academy, said: “Aryan is an incredibly talented chess player and he has already achieved so much in the game at such a young age.”
Mr Wyatt added: “Everyone at Kelvinside Academy is extremely proud of his achievements and we’ll all be rooting for him when he competes in Weifang.
“We’re very lucky to have so many talented pupils at the school and we’ll always do everything we can to help them explore and follow their passions.”
A study by Peter Dauvergne, professor of international relations at the University of British Columbia, who is also a chess master, concluded playing chess could raise IQ scores, strengthen problem solving skills, enhance memory and foster creative thinking.
Chess Scotland says it is aware of about 5,000 players north of the Border, half of them competing at junior level.