Meet Diamond Shakoor, who in 2009 at age 8, became the youngest African-American female to go undefeated in a Chess National competition. She has since played in more than 250 tournaments and is a seven-time national champion.
Shakoor, who is from Columbus, Ohio, and learned the game at the Urban Kings & Queens Chess Academy, says that her goal is to become the first and youngest African American female chess grandmaster.
She comments, “I love to play chess, it’s like life basically. It’s like a battle. Half of it is natural talent, but I’m starting to study now.”Her dad, Abdul Shakoor, who has two master’s degrees and teaches courses on chess, has been Diamond’s teacher since she was about 7-years old.
He admits that Diamond can now consistently beat him. He comments, “When she’s focused, it’s incredibly tough to beat her.”According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, in 2012, the two moved from Ohio to St. Louis’ to take advantage of the city’s “burgeoning chess scene.
“He compares his daughter to a young Serena Williams or even a female Tiger Woods. “I have a feeling she is going to be a female world champion,” he said.Diamond feels the same. “Chess means everything to me,” she once said. “It’s changed my whole life for the positive.”
Source: blackhistory.com
Related Posts
h0911
·
September 22, 2024
·
“Lahore 1947” is an epic cinematic work that vividly portrays the painful and complex landscape of historical upheaval in India. The film takes viewers back to the…
h0911
·
September 22, 2024
·
The official trailer for “Saint Catherine,” a highly anticipated 2024 horror anthology, has finally dropped, and it’s already sending shivers down the spines of horror fans. Directed…
l1202
·
September 22, 2024
·
The teaser trailer for “Gremlins 3” (2024) marks the return of the mischievous and terrifying creatures that captured audiences decades ago, with legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg at…
h0911
·
September 22, 2024
·
“Devara Part 1” is an impressive film that combines thrilling action with deeply emotional situations. The story revolves around Dev, a strong man who faces significant challenges…
h0911
·
September 21, 2024
·
In the wake of the film’s World Premiere at Fantastic Fest this Sunday, September 22, Benjamin Barfoot’s horror movie Daddy’s Head is coming to Shudder on October 11. Watch the official trailer for Daddy’s…
h0911
·
September 21, 2024
·
𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 Director Jay Woelfel’s “Asylum of Darkness” takes viewers on a chilling ride through a world where reality and nightmare…