Jakub Seemann, a young chess enthusiast hailing from Poland, has clinched the title of Under-16 FIDE Open World Youth Champion. Securing an impressive score of 9.5 out of 11, he not only gained 24.1 rating points but also exhibited a notable performance rating of 2602.

At just 15 years old, Jakub Seemann, a student at the 3rd Secondary School in Zabrze, has secured the title of the world chess champion in the under-16 category. Upon his return to school, he was greeted with an extraordinary reception as teachers and students from all classes lined the corridors and staircases, showering the young athlete with loud applause and cheers. „I’ve never experienced anything like this before” – Jakub expressed.

The skilful chess player from the Szach Mat Zabrze club in southern Poland, despite being only 15 years old, has secured the title of under-16 world champion, thereby affirming the excellent form displayed in recent weeks.

In September, he attained victory in the Open U16 category championship held in the Romanian city of Mamaia. The second position was claimed by the Spaniard Diego Macias Pino, with the third spot going to Jachym Nemec from the Czech Republic.

In addressing how he manages to balance his passion for chess with school responsibilities, Seemann acknowledges that upon returning from a week or two-long tournament, his teachers provide additional time for him to catch up on the classes he may have missed.

His journey into the world of chess commenced at the age of seven. At that time, he was playing the violin, but a broken arm led him to explore chess, as his cousins were avid players who quickly taught him the game. He found a deep appreciation for it, noting that initially, his cousin would consistently win, but over time, the dynamics shifted. Seemann’s interest in the game of chess largely stemmed from this serendipitous introduction.

Author: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska

Photo: Przemek Nikiel/International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess/Twitter