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CHESS is a sport that involves a lot of thinking.
Unlike any other sport that needs more of physical concentration, chess is a mind game that requires thinking resulting into mental fatigue as the mind races with thoughts.
Amon Simutowe, Zambia’s export to the United States of America (USA) put the country on the world map after earning a Grand Master title.
There are four Grand Masters in Africa.
Daniel Jere, the Chumfwa brothers Stanley and Kelvin have International Masters titles.
Ten-year-old Hampus Sorensen is on a mission to conquer in chess.
At such a tender age, Hampus is already a chess whiz kid having won several titles and has represented the country at various international championships.
Despite bearing a Swedish nationality, Hampus has been registered to play for Zambia as is a Zambian resident along with other family members.
Born on October 30, 2003 from Peter and Veronica Sorensen, Hampus is a twin brother of Alva. The fraternal twins are the only children in the family.
His twin sister is also a chess whiz kid although she combines it with swimming.
Hampus is in grade four at the American International School of Lusaka (AISL).
“Well, I want to be a professional chess player when I finish school. If I change my mind along the way I want to become a cook (chef),” Hampus says.
His mother Veronica is a diplomat.
CAREER
Hampus started playing chess as his extra curriculum activity when he was five years.
He started competing in 2011 when he took part in the Africa Youth Championship which Zambia hosted where more than 100 participants took part.
The tournament was held at Baobab College in Lusaka.
Although he did not win anything, Hampus performed well for a starter.
“It was a big tournament for a start but he still managed to do well,” Hampus’ father, Peter, said.
After competing in the Africa Youth championships, Sorensen garnered the strength to get in to competition full throttle.
With the help of Stanley Ngulube as his coach then, Hampus sharpened his skills.
International Master (IM) Daniel Jere took up the coaching responsibility and has been his tutor for the past one-and-half years.
“They get along pretty well and he has helped him grow in the game,” Peter says.
With such passion and enthusiasm, it is not surprising that Hampus is a Swedish national champion. He took part in the Sweden national championship in July and won the title.
In October this year, Hampus represented Zambia at an international tournament in South Africa. He came out number seven in his age group out of 16 participants and was voted the best non-South African player.
In November last year, Hampus won the Airtel/Pepsi Championship under-10 category that had 170 participants.
He is currently in Dubai representing Zambia at the World Youth Championship with Jonathan Thomas.
Zambia only managed to send two participants for the tournament that has attracted over 1,000 participants.
PLANS
Hampus’ father thinks it will be unfair to expect too much from the young boy.
“He enjoys the game and finds it interesting to play. I think it is not a proper thing for a 10-year-old to feel that kind of pressure. We will let him play and enjoy his game. If he can be among the 100 best players, it will be great,” Sorensen says.
Hampus is enthusiastic of being among the best players and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Simutowe.
Despite not setting any goals, Sorensen believes his son has what it takes to make it big in chess. “He beats me all the time. I stand no chance against him and I am happy that he plays chess. Chess helps kids academically and I hope that many kids can start playing chess,” he says. As it is known to be a great test of intelligence, chess is also a great test of concentration. Meditation and concentration can be more important in board games.
For Hampus, it is a game he passionately enjoys.
[email protected], [email protected] 0966-819142, 0977-819142
Unlike any other sport that needs more of physical concentration, chess is a mind game that requires thinking resulting into mental fatigue as the mind races with thoughts.
Amon Simutowe, Zambia’s export to the United States of America (USA) put the country on the world map after earning a Grand Master title.
There are four Grand Masters in Africa.
Daniel Jere, the Chumfwa brothers Stanley and Kelvin have International Masters titles.
Ten-year-old Hampus Sorensen is on a mission to conquer in chess.
At such a tender age, Hampus is already a chess whiz kid having won several titles and has represented the country at various international championships.
Despite bearing a Swedish nationality, Hampus has been registered to play for Zambia as is a Zambian resident along with other family members.
Born on October 30, 2003 from Peter and Veronica Sorensen, Hampus is a twin brother of Alva. The fraternal twins are the only children in the family.
His twin sister is also a chess whiz kid although she combines it with swimming.
Hampus is in grade four at the American International School of Lusaka (AISL).
“Well, I want to be a professional chess player when I finish school. If I change my mind along the way I want to become a cook (chef),” Hampus says.
His mother Veronica is a diplomat.
CAREER
Hampus started playing chess as his extra curriculum activity when he was five years.
He started competing in 2011 when he took part in the Africa Youth Championship which Zambia hosted where more than 100 participants took part.
The tournament was held at Baobab College in Lusaka.
Although he did not win anything, Hampus performed well for a starter.
“It was a big tournament for a start but he still managed to do well,” Hampus’ father, Peter, said.
After competing in the Africa Youth championships, Sorensen garnered the strength to get in to competition full throttle.
With the help of Stanley Ngulube as his coach then, Hampus sharpened his skills.
International Master (IM) Daniel Jere took up the coaching responsibility and has been his tutor for the past one-and-half years.
“They get along pretty well and he has helped him grow in the game,” Peter says.
With such passion and enthusiasm, it is not surprising that Hampus is a Swedish national champion. He took part in the Sweden national championship in July and won the title.
In October this year, Hampus represented Zambia at an international tournament in South Africa. He came out number seven in his age group out of 16 participants and was voted the best non-South African player.
In November last year, Hampus won the Airtel/Pepsi Championship under-10 category that had 170 participants.
He is currently in Dubai representing Zambia at the World Youth Championship with Jonathan Thomas.
Zambia only managed to send two participants for the tournament that has attracted over 1,000 participants.
PLANS
Hampus’ father thinks it will be unfair to expect too much from the young boy.
“He enjoys the game and finds it interesting to play. I think it is not a proper thing for a 10-year-old to feel that kind of pressure. We will let him play and enjoy his game. If he can be among the 100 best players, it will be great,” Sorensen says.
Hampus is enthusiastic of being among the best players and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Simutowe.
Despite not setting any goals, Sorensen believes his son has what it takes to make it big in chess. “He beats me all the time. I stand no chance against him and I am happy that he plays chess. Chess helps kids academically and I hope that many kids can start playing chess,” he says. As it is known to be a great test of intelligence, chess is also a great test of concentration. Meditation and concentration can be more important in board games.
For Hampus, it is a game he passionately enjoys.
[email protected], [email protected] 0966-819142, 0977-819142