The championship, commissioned by the Polish Chess Federation, was held in Czchów (Małopolskie Voivodeship) on May 12–13. Almost 150 competitors from across Poland took part. In the boys' category, Kacper, a player for Bolesławiecki Klub Sportowy, proved unbeatable. He won all nine games. This was not, incidentally, the seven-year-old's first spectacular success. Kacper Grela is a three-time champion of Lower Silesia. In the regional championship, he won games lasting both 15 and 30 minutes. He recently defended the Lower Silesian champion title for the third time—on May 19.
The number of titles and distinctions may be surprising, especially since the boy has only been playing for three years. His father, Krzysztof, instilled in him a love of chess; he also began his own chess adventure at a very young age. Krzysztof Grela often plays with his son. One day in particular has stayed in his memory—January 7. That was when, as the champion's father admits, he "beat me for the first time without any odds, after a fierce battle. His first victory over me." The boy's father is not sure whether Kacper will become a professional chess player. He wants him to be a professional, no matter in what field. Nevertheless, he wants to develop his son's talent. "It will be necessary to invest quite a lot in him," he admits. The seven-year-old, however, has a clear vision of the future. He wants to become an "international master".
(GA/KG/MZ information)