Jonathan Spicer, who plays in Dubai next week, gets in some late practice. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0601113)
JONATHAN SPICER will be heading for the event of his life in Dubai later this month.
The 13-year-old is taking part in the Dubai Junior International chess tournament, against the top under-14 players on the planet.
Spicer is looking forward to the event and is hopeful that he can spring a surprise or two along the way. ‘I can’t wait to get there. I know that I’m one of the weakest players in the draw, but I’m still going to go there confident that I can do well,’ he said. There will be 140 competitors in the competition, 15 of whom will be from the UK, including Spicer.
The tournament uses a Swiss system, meaning that every player will play nine times over the fortnight. The opportunity came about after Tony Corfe, who comes to Guernsey each October half-term to organise chess matches for children, courtesy of his company Mind Sports. It was here that Spicer impressed him and the Guernsey lad was offered the chance to go to Dubai.
Spicer is also grateful to Fred Hamperl, who is a local coach and runs junior chess in the island.
He has also given Spicer, who has big ambitions in the sport, individual coaching.
‘I would like to play professionally in the future if it was possible. For now, I’m not worrying about that and enjoying what I am doing at the moment.
‘It also depends on whether I stick with it or not as I get older and leave school,’ he said.
On why he enjoys playing chess so much, Spicer finds the answer a simple one.
‘For me, chess is a beautiful game. I love the logic that is needed to play it. Also, it is a game that as a junior, you can play with the adults if you are good enough,’ he said.
Spicer flies out to Dubai on Sarturday and has one day’s preparation before his first match in the tournament.
Article posted on 3rd July, 2008 - 2.29pm
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