Regina teen to celebrate 10th year at Canadian Chess Challenge
It wasn't long before the Grade 10 student could call checkmate on his parents
This will be the tenth year local teen Avram Tcherni prepares for the Canadian Chess Challenge.
The annual event is taking place at the University of Regina this weekend.
The young chess player is in Grade 10 at Campbell Collegiate School in Regina and he's been hooked on chess since he was four years old.
His parents introduced him to the game, but he doesn't know why they did because chess isn't a popular past time for the Tcherni family.
In fact, he said it wasn't long before he could call checkmate on his mom and dad.
"They weren't the best. They kind of just looked up how to make the moves and showed me, so I quickly became better than them," he said. "They just decided I seemed like a smart kid and they wanted to teach me."
For Tcherni, it's the tactical part of the game that is alluring.
"I love different strategy, coming up with different strategies. It really intrigues me."
Tcherni said he typically tries to stay five to seven moves ahead of his opponent.
However, he said that's nothing compared to what the professionals do.
"The higher end players can think maybe 20 moves ahead. It's crazy."
The teen often thinks many moves ahead, but said he also spends time looking back in reflection.
When considering the highs and lows of his career, he said the hardest games are the ones where he doesn't make the right moves.
"I've had a lot of games where I was the underdog and had a chance to make something happen and I didn't. Those are tough afterwards."
Record games to improve
Additionally, he records his games so he can learn from his mistakes and think about what he might have done differently.
And sometimes, his own abilities surprise him.
Tcherni remembered one game last year where he couldn't believe his own skills, nor could his friends.
"I talked with some of my friends that were there and they couldn't believe I had done it. I didn't think I had that in me," he said.
Tcherni said he's looking forward to the weekend.
"I'm not the strongest player at nationals, but hopefully I could get a few wins."
The 28th Canadian Chess Challenge tournament runs May 22 and May 23.
with files from the Morning Edition