By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Success does not have any age and this has been proved by six year old Embok Khyllep who became the first and youngest FIDE rated player in the North Eastern region this year.
Impressed with his skills, the State Government on Monday felicitated Khyllep with a cash prize of Rs 5000 along with a laptop during a function held at JN Sport complex on occasion of National Sports Day.
A student of 1st standard in St Anthony’s school Khyllep has impressed one and all with his brilliant moves and techniques at the game of chess. He secured first position in the under 9 category of the 4th North East Open Chess Championship 2011 and was also awarded the most promising player of the tournament.
The six-year-old also secured first position in the Meghalaya Inter School under 13 chess championship 2011 where he scored 3.5 out of 4.
Besides participating in several other tournaments, Khyllep took part in the National Under 9 Championship 2010 held at Ahmedabad.
Taking pride at the performance of his son, SD Fancon said that Khyllep developed a keen interest in the game when he was a mere three year old.
“On seeing the talent we started coaching him for two to three hours daily,” an elated Fancon added. After being trained for two years by his family, Khyllep, at the age of five started participating in different tournaments held at local and national levels among others.
Fancon is however saddened by the fact that the state lacks professional coaches who could train young kids like Khyllep to make it to the next level.
Meghalaya Chess Association general secretary TH B Singh also rued the fact while adding that negotiations are on and a professional chess coach may soon be in the State in a bid to further hone the skills of local chess players.
Commenting on Khyllep’s feat, Singh said, “He is dong very well and with proper guidance can even be a grand master at a later stage.”
