Scarborough chess queen expands game’s dominion
Alex Kozovski
Published 22 April 2011
Yuanling Yuan is quickly becoming the queen of Toronto’s chess scene.
The 17-year-old chess prodigy is Canada’s top female chess player, was the youngest Woman International Master ever and is now spreading the game of chess throughout the city and beyond.
Chess in the Library, a program run by student-volunteers, was founded by Yuan in hopes of spreading the game across the GTA.
At least to start.
Yuan has had a specific goal in mind since starting the club in June 2009.
“The goal is to expand the program to every province in Canada,” said Yuan, a student at Victoria Park Collegiate Institute.
Already in 17 Toronto libraries, Chess in the Library has expanded to libraries in Calgary, Alta., and Victoria, B.C.
The program is designed to promote chess through casual games for the beginner and Chess Federation of Canada-rated games for the experienced.
“It’s a really fun and unique program,” said Andrew Loughlin, who learned about the program last year. “Not many people play chess, but for the people that do, this is perfect: free games, good practice and people actually willing to play.”
Thanks to the Saturday chess sessions, players not only battle one another, they also get to know each other.
“These kids see each other every week,” Yuan said. “The fact that they see each other often makes them … almost one big family.
“It’s become something more than just chess.”
Full article here.
Kudos to her.