Chess is not a sport for the elderly, quite the contrary. It is aimed at young and the results achieved by this very young champion are proof of this. Tea Gueci is the Palermitan woman who in 2012 broke a record at the age of 12 by winning the absolute Italian women's chess championship. A goal that allowed her to stay firmly in the Olympus of the great champions of this discipline. A passion, that for chess started as a child almost as a game. But that has now become his whole life. A job but above all a passion that gives her happiness. We interviewed this young champion, who is now 21 years old, to learn more about this volcanic Sicilian woman, who is achieving great successes in a sport to be discovered.
When was your passion for chess born?
This passion for chess was born thanks to my father, a great enthusiast, who taught me and my sister, two years older, this sport. I was six, it was summer and it all started for fun. Then in September we joined a Palermo club and it all started from there. In fact, from a very young age I have won several Italian youth titles. I then joined the Italian women's national team. I competed in the Tromso Olympics in 2014 and in the 2013, 2017 and 2019 European Team Championships in Warsaw and Hersonissos and Batumi. Among the most important placings the seventh place in the under 12 of 2011 in Brazil and the fifth place in the under 18 in Mamaia in 2017.
Tea Gueci, you have a record currently undefeated?
I achieved a great result at the age of 12. In fact, in 2012 I broke a record by winning the Absolute Italian Women's Championship. And then in addition to participation in the world championships I won the silver medal, again with the national team, at the Mitropa Cup in 2016 and the bronze medal at the Mitropa Cup in 2018. Also from 2019 I am WIM, Woman international master. A passion that could be more widespread among young people. And this is my commitment: to make the game of chess a sport loved by everyone and especially by young people. In fact, for now Italy is not among the strongest countries in the world. Russia is traditionally, like America which is very strong. And then there are countries like China and India that have new champions.
Besides chess what do you do?
Today I divide myself between the activity of a player and that of a teacher. In fact, I am also the chief instructor of the FSI. After diploma at the Cannizzaro scientific high school in Palermo, I moved to Bergamo. Where I live but I often go back to Sicily. Also because I have followed the high-level student-athlete program since high school. And I'm continuing to study at the University of Palermo in Statistics for Data Analysis. And then I train and make videos of chess courses. I also opened my own channel on Twitch and Instagram where I make live shows to teach this sport and make it known.
How do you see your future?
The pandemic and the lockdown period were difficult. But I never stopped. Mine is a very itinerant life but I love my land and when I can I go back to Palermo. I still don't have clear ideas about my future. It is an evolving world. I would like to be number one. For now I have the title of Woman international master, but it is precisely a female title. It is different from the absolute title and who knows maybe one day it will come. But it is enough for me to think that I am an international master. What I'm sure of is that I want to keep playing chess. Although I must say I like being a coach.
What is your message for young people?
Today it is really difficult to carry on with a passion. I consider myself lucky but I know it's not easy. However, it is necessary to persevere and commit to work and not be discouraged. So many times I got discouraged, but I never stopped. If you have a passion, you have to pursue it by studying. Chess is not a game for the elderly. Indeed it is beautiful it is not boring. Everyone can learn.
So why not follow his advice and start learning the secrets of this sport? Tea's experience shows that great goals can be achieved from an early age. Even staying in Italy.
