ST. LOUIS – They call Diamond Shakoor a prodigy, a champion, a genius. The 12-year-old girl is one of the best chess players in the country. At close to 250 tournaments played, Diamond is a seven-time national champion. At age 8, she was the youngest African-American female to go undefeated in a Chess National competition.
Ever.
“I love to play chess, it’s like life basically,” she said. “It’s like a battle. Half of it is natural talent, but I’m starting to study now.”
No African-American female in competitive chess has ever broken a rating of 2,200. A “chess master” typically holds a rating of 2,500. Shakoor is hovering around 1,300.
“I love watching her play, it’s like artwork,” said Diamond’s father, Abdul Shakoor. “When she’s focused, it’s incredibly tough to beat her.”
Brooklyn native, Shakoor has two masters degrees and teaches courses on chess. He has been Diamond’s sole teacher since she was about 7 years old. Despite that, Shakoor admits Diamond can now consistently beat him.
“I’ve had full custody of Diamond for 12 years,” he said.
Shakoor was in law school when he got a call from Diamond’s mother in Flint, Michigan, surprising him with the news that he had a daughter. The young father eventually won custody and started teaching her chess. The pair moved from Columbus, Ohio, to St. Louis in search of better competition.
“It’s been a struggle,” he said. “But she keeps me grounded and gives me purpose.”
Diamond is hosting her first annual chess festival May 4 in Centerville, Illinois.
The next goal for Shakoor is to take Diamond to the All-Girls Chess National Tournament in Chicago. They’re asking for help from the public to raise money for sponsorship, hotel and travel. They need to raise about $500.
Anyone interested can donate to the Diamond Shakoor Chess Fund at 2000 Madison Street Suite B222, St. Louis, MO. Or call (614) 800-0117.
“Chess means everything to me,” said Diamond. “It’s changed my whole life for the positive.”
Source: lipstickalley.com
INSPIRING.
I'm a bit confused, a chess grandmaster has a rating of 2500 and a master is 2200. Bobby Fischer, Magnus Carlsen were all GM's by 13. All this girl has is a 1300 rating and she's played in 250 tournaments. That is not a prodigy, sorry to say.
DUDE YOU A FREAKING HATER. IS IT THAT SHE IS AFRICAN AMERICAN OR THAT SHE CAN BEAT YOU…… THINK ABOUT HOW OLD ARE YOU AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING CHESS AND YOU TROUBLED BY A TWELVE YEAR OLD….. WHAT IS YOUR RATING AT LIKE FORTY IS IT HIGHER THAN HERS…. ARE YOU SWEATING CAUSE YOU AFRAID…. LET THIS PROUD BLACK YOUNG WOMAN WHO AINT OUT HAVING KIDS AND DIS DEFYING ALL STATISTICS HAVE HER DAY AND STFU STRAIGHT REAL TALK STAND UP OR SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP….. DIAMOND THE TRUTH AND YOU KNOW IT…. GOTTA A PROBLEM HOLLA AT ME MY PAGE OPEN!!!!!!!! LAME
I'm 22 years old I've been playing chess for two years and my rating is around 1600 and climbing, I'm not sweating at all, I don't understand why are you so upset? I'm just using facts, and the facts are she's does not match up to the prodigies that I consider prodigies. People can call her whatever they want, it doesn't make it true. Magnus Carlsen a true prodigy was a grandmaster at age 13, Samuel Reshevsky was giving simultaneous exhibitions at age 6 and beating masters. But you probably knew all that. All this young lady has accomplished in 250 tournaments is some good finishes and 1 win against a 1700 rated player, she has a losing record against 1400 rated players. Her rating is actually fluctuating not going up and up. I'm sorry to tell you but by that analysis she's not a prodigy. I'm not trying to be down on her but reality is reality, she's going to have to work hard to become a titled player. The truth hurts man, but seriously writing in all caps doesn't make your points anymore valid.
neither does downing a twelve year old or to you some one ten years your younger…. everyones entitled to their opinions but why is yours so negative????
I was also surprised at Diamonds rating. Especially since, at around 1500 elo, she beat me convincingly at a game of speed chess. I really like what they are doing, and wish her, and her father (an unfailing supporter) the very best. Although I am sorry they left Columbus, it was a good move and the next few years should see her improve considerably. Also, I read no hate in Jordan's comments- he was just stating the facts, IMHO. Let us all support this young lady and see how far she can go!!!
Jordan Page Diamond is a seven-time national champion.
@Cyril, what is her record against opponents rated higher than her??
I just posted this to your page because it was chess related, You aint really mad at a 12 year old getting some shine are you bruh? lol
yo Jordan, what's your record against higher rated opponents? why are you spewing internet hate against this young talented African prodigy?
oh wow dawg I checked you out. 41% against 1500s, 47% against 1600s, 50% against 1700s,16% (!) against 1800s, 28% against 1900s (one of them was floored) and 6.3% against 2000s. Nice record homie. I bet this girl would whup up on you boy, so shut your racist hate spewing mouth!
PS, you look like a Sontaran LOL
PS, you look like a Sontaran LOL
PS, you look like a Sontaran LOL
dsklldskfklsfkl
yo Jordan ya jive turkey, i just thought ya should know, you look like a Sontaran
yo Jordan ya jive turkey, i just thought ya should know, you look like a Sontaran
@ Tupac Shakur, If you look at all my posts you will see that I have never once mentioned that she is black. It makes no difference to me. I would be saying the same thing about any proclaimed prodigy. The truth is she doesn't have alot of accomplishments that I would view as worthy of being a prodigy. 1) she's not a titled player, 2) the big tournaments she's played in were against kids. If she were playing in adult tournaments and winning those left and right then it would be different. 3) she's played in over 250 tournaments with a modest rating. Now I think most people wouldagree that Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, carlsen, and other players would be considered prodigies by the chess community. So now to avoid being racist we have to put her in that categories with those players. I guess I just don't agree with that. So with all that being said I hope that you see that I'm just looking only at the facts and It has nothing to do with race. If she turns out to be a GM, great no arguments then. For now to me she's just a talented player not a prodigy though. Also please don't pull up my record against opponents. My record against opponents has nothing to do with her being a prodigy. It's has all to do with the ad-hominem attacks. Which also explains the intolerance in your statements.
very mature of you to say that