Jessica Hyatt, a sophomore at Success Academy in Brooklyn, New York, was awarded the Daniel Feinberg Success in Chess Award, which includes a $40,000 college scholarship. She is one of the Top 10 Black female chess players, with the dream of becoming the first black female chess master.
“I play whenever I get a chance, like in my free time, like during my classes, like sometimes during classes,” Hyatt said to CBS New York.
To become a chess master, you must have a rating of 2,200. Hyatt is rated at 1,950. Her coaches are National Masters and say that she is close to making history.
“I learned the game when I was 15, so for Jessica to be at 1,950, that’s a huge edge,” said Tyrell Harriott, Hyatt’s coach.
Hyatt’s mother, Loy Allen, believes that parents should allow their children to follow their passions.
“If your kid’s passionate enough about it, have them go for it because the sky’s the limit, right,” said Allen.
Hyatt would like to teach chess to children in her community and attend MIT in addition to being a chess master.
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