Shraddha Agre turned chess tables for a win during the South African Junior Chess Championship from 3 till 12 January in Boksburg.
She is born and bred in India and her family moved to Ermelo when she was four-years-old.
Agre said: “As a four-year-old, I did not know how to speak English which was one of the hardest things for me to learn but, today looking at myself, I am proud that I have come so far.
“Now I do not only speak English but I am able to speak and understand basic Afrikaans as well.”
Chess was never her first choice in the sports she participated in.
“I learnt how to play chess from my dad when I was in Grade 2 but I just played it as a source to escape boredom.”
She said, she was not good in it as she only knew the basics.
Agre began playing chess at school when she was in Grade 5.
This is when she began to grow an interest in the sport and tried to improve her skills.
She began competing in tournaments that were not only hosted by the school but by clubs instead.
“I played for the Mpumalanga Gert Sibande (MGS) club and I eventually improved my skills by practice.
She concluded: “Chess has become my passion.”
Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.
