Chess queen has all the right moves
Chess champ Evie Hollingsworth might only be 13 but she's becoming Queen of the game. Jane Cartledge met Evie and mum Jenny ahead of major competitions abroad
EVIE Hollingsworth is a grand master when it comes to organisation.
But the 13-year-old Sheffield schoolgirl has to be. Like many teenagers Evie juggles a busy school-life with after school clubs and sports sessions.
She also represents Yorkshire and England at chess and thinks nothing of taking on men who have spent a lifetime mastering the intellectual game.
Evie didn't know a pawn from a rook five years ago when she went for tea at schoolfriend's house.
"Her friend played chess so he taught her how to play and then she joined the school chess club," explains Jenny, a single mum to three kids.
"I've never played chess and I'll admit I didn't know the first thing about it. Evie started quite late at the age of eight because a lot of the children her age started playing with their dads aged four or five."
Evie, a chatty and articulate Silverdale pupil, quickly made up for lost time and hasn't stopped winning since.
Her chess tutor says she has a natural ability and the English Chess Federation, the country's governing body, has invited her to take part in a number of top tournaments.
"I couldn't believe she'd got into chess." adds Jenny, who lives at Parkhead, Sheffield.
"I thought 'what's she getting into now?' It turns out that she's really good at it so what can I say! She was playing for the county aged nine. She plays adults, kids, old men - she'll play anyone and that's how she improves.
Jenny is learning about chess as quickly as her daughter.
"We got a phone call the other day saying she was invited to compete in a chess tournament in Liverpool. I didn't realise the significance of it so was quite blase on the phone. Later that day we started getting congratulatory emails from other chess players saying how fantastic it was that Evie had been selected."
Evie had been selected to represent England in the prestigious Glorney Cup in Liverpool in July, an intensive and extremely competitive youth tournament held over three days.
"I'd never heard of it before but it's a famous tournament in the chess world. It's akin to being a young footballer and getting an England call-up. In the end I had to phone the person back and apologise for sounding so flat when he broke the news."
Across the country an increasing number of children are playing chess but what sets Evie apart is her background.
Her family don't play chess, she's not privately educated and her mum juggles driving to chess tournaments with a full time Phd.
Then, of course, there's the cost.
More on next page. Jenny has to fund Evie's chess lessons and weekend tournaments across the UK.
And as her chess playing improves, she is now being entered into international tournaments.
She's just returned from the Ukraine and in July travels to Dubai for an under 14s event and is one of only two girls in a 16-strong squad.
Jenny isn't accompanying her on the 10 day trip because of the expense - it's costing 1,100 for Evie alone.
"I'd love to go but I've got two other children and it just isn't possible. I'd love to find sponsorship for her but if I don't then I'll go to the ends of the earth to find the money for her. If I've to stick it on the mortgage then I will."
Jenny and Evie usually travel together for UK tournaments staying in Travelodges. Her former partner helps look after their two sons aged 15 and 11 which, Jenny says, is invaluable.
So how does Jenny wile away the hours while her daughter is out-manoeuvring her opponents.
"I'm studying for a Phd which is quite lucky. I take my work along because a lot of Evie's games go to the final move and can last up to four hours.
"She comes out and has a 20 minute break before the next game and then she starts again. Sometimes there are games on Friday, two on Saturday and two on Sunday.
"It's a long weekend for me but it's a long weekend for Evie when you think about sitting and concentrating for that length of time."
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Ashley Littlewood - age 14, from Rotherham - selected for England squad
Michael Littlewood - age 12, from Rotherham - selected for England squad
Miles Edwards-Wright - age 11, attends Ecclesall Junior School - selected for England squad
Aref Vasli - age 15, attends Myers Grove School - the strongest 15 year old Sheffield has ever seen. Aref has taken adult as well as junior chess in Sheffield and Yorkshire by storm this year. Aref is Iranian, so unfortunately doesn't qualify for the England squad.
More on next page.CHESS clubs are springing up at schools across Britain as children, parents and teachers realise the benefits of the game.
The strategic game has been played in Europe since the 9th century and it's widely recognised that chess translates into many areas of life.
Players say chess helps their self esteem, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.
And there's no doubt it helps students' maths.
Since Evie Hollingsworth started playing at Ecclesall Junior School, her maths has improved dramatically.
She's in the top maths set at Silverdale and feels chess has helped her enormously.
"It helps me think logically and strategically," explains Evie. "I just really enjoy playing. I love setting traps for my opponent and it's really interesting how a game unfolds."
Evie plays children her age but also frequently beats her elders.
"Not many girls play and so when I play an adult I don't think they expect me to be any good. People can't help but make assumptions but then I go and beat them," she laughs.
When Evie isn't competing in the Sheffield Evening league, she logs onto Fritz, a computer chess programme on her home computer.
Chess transcends countries and continents and she takes on players from Australia, Japan, Spain and Russia
"I don't know who I'm playing against - they could be adults or they could be my age. It doesn't matter though because it's just great fun."
Jeremy Hamm, a top chess player with the Sheffield Nomads team, explained how a junior chess group had recently been set up to promote junior chess in the Sheffield region.
"We believe that chess has a huge amount to offer, and that there's a great appetite among young people to play the game.
"Eventually, we'd love to see school chess leagues appearing, as happened in past generations."
Every school in the country is being offered 10 free chess sets as part of a generous donation by a Hampshire plastics firm.
"At this time we're talking to schools about setting up lunchtime or after-school chess clubs and we believe that there is the interest out there to do this," added Jeremy.
One key activity of the junior chess group is to organise a junior chess tournament in the autumn. This will be for players of all ages and backgrounds, girls as well as boys. Participation will span those who've just learned the moves to players with proven talent and experience. The tournament will be held at The Source, at Meadowhall, on Sunday November 16.
John Fryer has been secretary of Sheffield Schools Chess Association (SASCA) for the last 22 years and organises the annual Sheffield Individual Schools Championships.
He's passionate about chess and says it has a huge amount to offer children and young people.
"It is great fun and many of those who discover it when they're young go on to find it rewarding for a lifetime.
"It almost certainly impacts positively on other learning, helping for example with concentration. It has a very broad appeal, attracting children from all social backgrounds and abilities."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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