NYHS freshman Lara Evelyn Chad competed in the Washington State High School Individual Chess Championship and emerged as the first-place winner in her division. Chad played against older and more experienced players in the tournament. 

Chad says she loves the challenge of chess because it constantly pushes her to improve and build her problem-solving abilities. “I know that somebody out there is always going to be better than me,” she said. “That makes me want to do more.”

At just 2 and a half, Chad discovered a chess set and asked her father, Sheldon Chad, what they were. That simple question sparked a lifelong passion for the game. Though she initially learned to play as a toddler, it wasn’t until she turned 7 and started working with a coach that she began her journey as a chess player.

“I love it because it’s challenging,” Chad said. ”It pushes me to the limit.” Her desire for a challenge is not only seen in chess. At just 12 years old, she decided to attend NYHS, skipping a grade to enroll. She saw it as a place for academic improvement compared to her previous school and didn’t mind being the youngest in her class. 

“I was already the youngest in my class at my old school, and I didn’t mind being the youngest yet again,” she said.

After a 15-month break from playing competitively because of school and trouble with maintaining playing time over the summer, Chad returned to the chess scene with encouragement from her father to play in the tournament. She then participated in a local tournament, which gave her a chance to reconnect with the game. 

“It felt good to play again,” she said.

Competing in the Feng U1000 division, she faced a field of all male players, most of whom were older than her. Chad scored an 8.5 out of 10 with eight wins, one draw, and one loss.

In the final match, she went head-to-head against the division leader in a high-stakes match. “I had to win both games in the final round to take first place,” Chad said. “I had prepared a little after playing him earlier; I beat him four times that day.”

Lara’s victory is a significant milestone for the wider chess community, as she is one of the youngest competitors and the only female to win her division. 

“It feels great to win,” Chad said. “But more than that, I just love playing chess.”