Through the thorns to the stars: from the streets of Havana to the best chess players in the USA

Through the thorns to the stars: from the streets of Havana to the best chess players in the USA

Looking at the Waist Cervantes would never guess that she is somehow different from other teenagers. But as we know looks can be deceiving.

The young 14-year-old girl with a charming smile is included in TOP 10 most gifted American chess players under the age of 21. She actively participates in the most prestigious national tournaments, including the U.S. Girls Junior Championship, which takes place in the present time. The top prize is $10,300 plus an invitation to the championship in the adult League.

Through the thorns to the stars: from the streets of Havana to the best chess players in the USA

«I grew up playing chess on the streets of Havana. My opponents were adult men, who always swore and repeated that they can not beat a girl.»

Talia was born in Cuba, but later her family immigrated to the United States. As you know, liberty Island can boast of outstanding chess players. A Prime example is Jose Raul Capablanca, world champion from 1921 to 1927, who was called «the chess machine» because he made very few mistakes.

Waist became interested in chess at the age of 7 years, after passed the basic course on this game in elementary school. She then studied at the Higher Institute of chess in Latin America under the leadership of grandmaster Walter Arencibia. She won several trophies, representing Cuba, including the first place of the Championship of Central America and the Caribbean in the category «under 12 years» and the International tournament of Marseille Sinica. At the age of 11 years old talented chess player won the provincial championship in Havana for players under the age of 14.

After moving to the United States in 2014, the girl continued her ascent to success, winning first place in the championship of the 2015 Susan Polgar Girls’ Invitational for participants up to 19 years. By the way, at that time the Waist was only 12. The following year she won two more Championships for young chess players.Her last trophy was the bronze won in this year’s championship for players under the age of 18.

Talia said that one of the biggest obstacles in mastering the art of chess she was herself and misconceptions about the game. Champion was a restless child, and to play chess, you had to cultivate patience and perseverance, to be calm and to concentrate on the process. Chess helped her to change. Talia says that she became more logical, calm person who is making the best decisions, because chess helps her in life.

Parents saw that their daughter had real talent. After participating the Waist in several international tournaments, they told her that they plan to move to the city of St. Louis, Missouri, which is considered the chess capital of the United States. Talia says that moving out was the best decision of her family.

Over the past three years, the girl got used to the cold weather and learned English. She plays chess eight hours a day at the Chess club and Scholastic Center in St. Louis and is the youngest member of Chess Excellence Webster University. She also runs online courses for high school students. Soon Talia is not going to leave Missouri. After she graduate from school, the girl plans to enroll in Webster University, which is the fifth consecutive year, wins the chess championship among higher educational institutions across the country.

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