8-year-old Roman Shogdzhiev, has emerged as a phenomenon, after defeating GM Jakhongir Vakhidov and Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in 2023 World Rapid Chess Championship in Uzbekistan.
A Monumental Triumph
The 2023 World Rapid Chess Championship witnessed a defining moment as Roman surprised the chess community by defeating two Grandmasters, Jakhongir Vakhidov and Johan-Sebastian Christiansen. Vakhidov isn’t nobody. He clinched a gold medal at board 4 as part of Uzbekistan’s victorious team in the 2022 Chess Olympiad. He also had the team’s highest performance rating of 2813. So Roman’s wins collected praise from none other than Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, who commended Roman’s exceptional talent and potential.
Early Glimpses of Brilliance
Before this breakthrough, Roman’s performance at the 2023 Open Under-8 World Cadets Championship foreshadowed his upcoming talent. Securing a perfect 11/11 score indicated a prodigious talent well beyond his years.
Stepping Stones in Youth Championships
Roman’s ascent in the chess world commenced with consistent triumphs in youth championships. Notably, his victory at the European Youth Chess Championship 2022, where he clinched the U8 title, highlighted his growing potential. Across various tournaments, his dedication and passion for the game were evident, overcoming occasional setbacks with resilience.
Milestones and Records
Beyond individual victories, Roman’s name became synonymous with history. Winning the Russian Championship under 9 years old twice marked a significant milestone, establishing an unprecedented record in the championship’s history.
Acknowledging the Support System
Roman’s journey is not solely about individual victories but also about acknowledging the instrumental role played by his trainers. The guidance of coaches Dmitry Sarangov and Vitaly Albertovich Bagdasarov has been pivotal in shaping Roman’s trajectory toward chess excellence. Both Sarangov and Bagdasarov have an standard Elo rating below 2200. In 2022, as a 7-year-old, Roman won U9 section of Moscow championship. Sarangov’s prediction about Roman a year ago came true as Roman, the top favorite, won every one of his eight games.
A Journey Fueled by Passion and Family Support
Roman’s foray into the world of chess began as a family initiative, documented on an Instagram blog curated by his parents. Introduced to chess at 4 years old in late 2019, Roman’s passion for the game quickly evolved, embracing a relentless dedication refined during periods of self-isolation amid the pandemic. The blog documented his growth, reflecting his evolving skill and fervor for chess.
In December 2019, he started learning chess with Sarangov, and he instantly loved the game. Chess became more than just something fun – it became a big part of his day. He’d wake up eager to learn more and go to bed thinking about past games.
When the pandemic hit and everyone had to stay at home, Roman found a good thing about it. He had more time to practice chess, solve tricky problems, and play in online tournaments. This extra time helped him get a lot better at chess, and his family was happy for that.
From May 2020, Roman kept learning chess with Sarangov and also started training with FM Bagdasarov. Both coaches were very committed and helped Roman improve a lot, guiding him to become really good at chess.
A Promising Trajectory Ahead
People see that Roman works really hard and never gives up. Chess expert Maxim Omariev mentioned how Roman always keeps fighting in every game he plays.
Roman Shogdzhiev’s journey in chess is different from what people expect. He’s changing what people think is possible for someone his age in chess. He keeps doing things that surprise everyone, and everyone in the chess world is excited to see what he does next.
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