In a rare upset, a Blythewood teenager beat a world-class, chess grandmaster on Tuesday, June 12, at a simultaneous chess exhibition at Dutch Square Mall in Columbia.
Roger Dodds, 15 years old, was one of 28 challengers who played simultaneously against Grandmaster Lubomir Ftacnik, a chess pro from Slovakia on tour with the South Carolina Chess Association to promote the game here. This is Ftacnik’s first loss in the state. GM Ftacnik also drew Dr. Edsel Pena of Columbia and Russell Thurmond of Sumter, finishing with of 26 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.
Dodds is home-schooled by his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. Roger Dodds of Blythewood. GM Ftacnik will also hold simuls on Wednesday at Park Circle Presbyterian Church in Charleston (7 p.m.) and Thursday at the Brew & Ewe coffee shop in Greenville (7 p.m.).
For more information, contact David Grimaud at 803-586-1116 cell.Photo of Roger Dodds attached.
Good job Dodd!
Dodd:
I am very happy for you, and I know it is exciting to win big.
We need a homeschool chess network developed. Our finest students, to include chess, originate in christian education.
God bless you, and may you find life, unity, and diversity in the chess world in your days.