Having serious fun playing chess

Weston’s Zachary Filler and Sadie Edelman: Having serious fun playing chess
Written by Patricia Gay
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 11:53

Although Sadie Edelman is just five, she knows the difference between a Queen’s Gambit and a Sicilian Defence. So does 10-year-old Zachary Filler.

That’s because both Sadie and Zachary share a strong interest in the game of chess, and are very familiar with two of the game’s popular moves.

Though very different in age, Sadie and Zachary both love to play chess for fun, and also in tournament play — where they are rapidly making a name for themselves.

Zachary has won several tournaments, and recently took first prize in the junior varsity section of the 44th annual Greater New York Junior High Chess Championship.

Sadie started playing tournament chess last year and has earned nine trophies so far in competition. She has dreams of one day becoming a champion player.

“When I grow up I want to be a chess master,” she said.

Popular game

Chess is a popular pastime in America where an estimated 45 million play — and more than half of those are children.

The Internet has helped expand chess’s availability, as it requires no board or pieces — or even a live competitor — in order to play.

Chess is thought to be the oldest game in the world, originating in what is now northern India or Afghanistan, sometime before 600 AD. It was well-established across all of Europe by 1400 AD, following the same rules that are used today.

Here is the full article.