One would expect the top chess player on the West Rand to be seasoned and elderly, but Letia Seretlo is only 18 years old – and in her prime.
Letia was voted the number one chess player in the region after a recent West Rand chess competition.
She started playing chess while attending the Izakhanyo Primary School in Simuye, seven years ago. She is now a matric learner at TM Letlhake Secondary School, also in Simuye.
Letia is the only one in her family who has taken an interest in chess. Ever since she started playing the game, she has done nothing less than excel.
Last year she took part in an international chess competition in Cape Town and ended in the competition’s top 5. This year she participated in the regional competition, which she won, but she wasn’t able to secure another top spot in the provincial competition.
“During the provincials, we played five games. I won three, drew one and lost one. The competition was really tough this year,” she said.
Letia plans to participate in many more competitions, especially once she’s finished matric and has more free time. She wants to start her own chess club too, to keep herself on top of her game.
This teenager not only has a knack for chess – she enjoys debating as well, but said she had decided to focus more on her chess and getting through matric this year.
Next year, Letia plans to further her studies and pursue a career in Information Technology (IT). During her spare time, she plans to hone her chess skills.
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