Strategic mastermind gains top board ranking in SA
Segadevan won six out of seven matches to be selected for the South African Junior Chess team, after dominating in a tournament in Boksburg
ANALYSIS, strategy, careful calculation and extreme concentration are traits that have aided Grantham Park Primary School pupil Saien Segadevan to his number one ranking in South Africa for chess in his age group.
This recent achievement earned the confident and mastermind whiz kid the Supersport Let’s Play title for the month of February.
Segadevan won six out of seven matches to be selected for the South African Junior Chess team, after dominating in a tournament in Boksburg.
The Grade 5 pupil started learning the game at age six and met his current coach Mlu last year at a tournament held at the University of Zululand.
‘I just really enjoy the challenge of being able to have to think ahead of time and counteract what one’s opponent throws at you,’ said Segadevan.
The 10-year-old was selected for the King Cetshwayo and KZN team last year, after winning his age groups at time rated tournaments.
‘I was invited to compete at a tournament in Richards Bay, where I managed to win six out of seven games and was rated as board one, going into the tournament in Boksburg.’
The King Cetshwayo team managed to win their age group in the C section of the competition and were promoted to the B section.
‘It was my birthday on Sunday, so now I have to compete in the U12 section.
‘But this challenge of playing in an older age group is exciting and challenging at the same time, which I really enjoy.’
Segadevan competed in a tournament over the past weekend in Richards Bay in the U12 age group, where he won all his games and scooped his age group prize, despite having being penalised for being late for his last game.
Segadevan practices twice a week at school during big break and every day at home for an hour to an hour and a half.
He also trains with his coach three times a week for three to four hours.
‘Learning new strategies and ways to keep concentration for long periods takes practice and time.
‘I always like to focus on my opponent’s moves and try guess what their next move is to remain in my zone.’
A match normally takes one hour, but at national level can go up to two hours per game.
‘Everything is time based, so one needs to move quickly in order to remain in charge.’
In his free time he enjoys playing with his dog Nippy or just chilling out and playing play station games.
Segadevan dreams of becoming a professional chess player and aims at taking on the world’s best one day, while pursuing a career in pharmacy.
‘This year I would like to top my grade in maths and English and take board one again at nationals.
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