MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  Although she is somewhat shy at first, Hope-Lynique Smith (11) immediately grows confident once she sits down behind a chessboard.

Playing a few friendly games of chess, first against her teacher, Cadi Walker, and then her proud father, Enrico Smith, Hope-Lynique remains focused and makes every move with a sense of self-assuredness.

She competed in the Western Cape Chess Championships in Gansbaai on Saturday 16 May. 

The morning of the competition, before she left for Gansbaai with her chess teacher and other members of Ridgeview Primary's chess club, Hope-Lynique jokingly told her father she would win all her games that day.

That statement was justified. The young chess prodigy placed sixth in the province, amongst 15 other Western Cape players. 

She was also selected for the Western Cape chess team and qualified to participate in the South African Chess Trials in June.

Hope-Lynique Smith. Photo: Ridgeview Primary School/Facebook

Walker told the Advertiser she had a feeling Hope-Lynique would do exceptionally well in this year's tournament. "She didn't make it last year, she just missed it," she says. "But this year, I knew."

Walker says she has never seen a more dedicated and driven chess player than Hope-Lynique. 

Aside from attending chess practice twice a week after school, Hope-Lynique also plays chess at home with her dad and during school with her friends.

"She loves to challenge herself. Not many learners practise as often as she does," says Walker.

Ridgeview Primary has not had a chess champion for several years, but with Hope-Lynique's talents, the school could possibly gain that title once again.

Hope-Lynique is surprised by a move her teacher, Cadi Walker, made during their friendly game. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz

Enrico said his daughter had been deciding between karate and ballet lessons, but she settled on chess when the school introduced its official chess club when she was nine. "At the time, I was playing chess online on my phone. She then started playing on my phone as well," he says.

Their games on a real chessboard usually begin with him jokingly asking: "Hopie, smaak jy om te verloor?"

He says he always knew she would do well, and he views chess as an investment in his child. 

Hope-Lynique told the Advertiser she enjoys the silence of chess. However, according to her dad, she is the opposite at home!

She says she has a great support system. She shares how her mother, Annemieke, helps her with her homework and always checks her work in the evenings before she goes off to the chessboard.

When asked how she balances her academics with playing chess, as the tournaments often take place outside Mossel Bay over weekends, Hope-Lynique modestly said she is doing fine.

However, Walker was quick to share that Hope-Lynique is actually a top learner in Grade Five, to which Hope-Lynique shily smiled. 

Ridgeview Primary's principal, Peter Neethling, says although Hope-Lynique can be fidgety at times, she has displayed excellent discipline when playing chess. "We are all so proud of her," he said.

When she is not behind a chessboard, Hope-Lynique can be found on the netball courts after school or singing in her church choir on Sundays. 

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