Jay Sawant(CAN) First U14-Las Vegas 2013-Followup

Canadian junior Jay Sawant of the Golden Knight Chess Club in Burnaby, BC won the U14 section of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival.

Jay Sawant

From Jay
I got introduced to chess when I was 6 years old when I used to play with my friends and my grand mother as a board game for fun. I never imagined that I will play this game one day at an international level. My grandmother taught me how to sacrifice a piece to get opponents stronger piece. She used to tell me "offer a burger" to win opponents better piece. My mom took my interest to the next level by supporting me in every way. Thanks to my parents. 

I started participating in competitive chess tournaments from Dec 2012. My dad brought me to the Las Vegas chess tounament and I felt as if I was on vacation. Earlier this year, I came first in the "Vancouver Chess Challenge" and the "Fraser Valley Chess Challenge", but winning this International youth chess  tournament and the puzzle competition turned out to be my most exciting experience and first big achievement in my life. 

The great training and guidance that I received from my coach made me very confident to play in this tournament. Winning the Las Vegas tournament is a great motivation for me and I look forward in participating in upcoming tournaments.

I wish to thank Eugen(Coach Valer Eugen Demian), Kevin(GM Spraggett) and Michael(Yip-CanadaChessNews) for recognizing and appreciating my achievements.

Regards-Digvijay Sawant