9-year-old Diamond a sparkler in the world of competitive chess

The right moves
9-year-old Diamond a sparkler in the world of competitive chess
Saturday, March 20, 2010 2:52 AM
By Jennifer Smith Richards
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

There are plenty of things to learn from chess, but Diamond Abdus-Shakoor’s dad says this is the most important: Win with grace, lose with dignity.

Abdul Abdus-Shakoor says Diamond soaks up everything that chess teaches her. Patience. Humility. Perseverance.

Diamond is very, very good.

She hasn’t been beaten yet on her East Columbus Elementary chess team. The 9-year-old plays grown men in coffee houses and often wins. She has won five national titles in her age group since she learned to play about two years ago, including one in Arizona this month.

Her dad says she was the only African-American girl competing.

“I play her. She beats me,” he said. “It’s hard to keep her motivated and keep pushing her.”

But Abdus-Shakoor is always standing behind her. He trumpets her successes and makes pitches for her on Twitter (Diamond would love to meet Oprah soon! She would like to play Will Smith in a chess match! Check out YouTube!) and e-mails news releases when she rocks at a tournament.

To the single father, there is nothing more important than helping pave the way for Diamond’s bright future. He said that is why he does whatever it takes, even when that means asking for donations at gas stations to help fund her trips.

It’s one reason he coaches her chess club at East Columbus.

“I get to be wherever my daughter is and help other kids. It’s a win-win,” he said.

Here is the full article.