Wonder child of Kerala goes international

Kozhikode, Jun 28: Under-9 champion of state, C H Meghna,will participate in two international events to be held in Singapore in July this year. According to a Kerala Chess Association press release here, Meghna would vie for honours in World School Chess Championship in Singapore from July 22.

Meghna is too good for her age. The Kochi girl is the State under-7 and under-9 champion. Meghna was initiated into the worlds of kings and queens at three, by her dad Atmaj, and she was quite fascinated by the cute little pieces."I learned chess from my mother but I just used to play for fun. My daughter is more serious about the game," says her dad.

But Atmaj makes it a point to see that chess is fun for Meghna. "We play together for almost two hours every day and there is no mention about theory or such things." And during weekends, Ganesh Bhat, a State player, plays with her for about three hours. But for a girl of her age, Meghna has travelled a lot. She has played quite a few all-India FIDE-rated tournaments, the Asian Youth Championship and the age group Nationals.

I want to be like (Koneru) Humpy. She's my favourite player. chirps the third standard student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kadavanthra.

UNI