Get to Know Bernice Wambui in 10 Questions
Recently, Bernice won 6th place in Girls U10 (under age ten) at the African Youth Chess Championships as well as having received a special award for Fair Play.
BY SIMONE MORDEN - SALK SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
HER LEAGUE MEMBER & HER NEWS COLUMNIST
Bernice
Bernice Wambui is a new participant in Her Move Next tournaments and has been doing exceptionally well! She is also our second participant from another continent and our first from Africa. Recently, Bernice won 6th place in Girls U10 (under age ten) at the African Youth Chess Championships as well as having received a special award for Fair Play. In this interview, you will get to know a little bit about this upcoming star including why Bernice started playing chess, her passions outside of chess, her favorite chess piece and more!
Q: What is your name, age, and where are you from?
Bernice: My name is Bernice Wambui. I am from Kenya, and I am 10 years old.
Q: What tournaments have you played in recently?
Bernice: I have played in Rookie open, YCC, Africa Youth.
Q: And do you plan to play in any international tournaments soon?
Bernice: Yes, this December ICC
Q: What’s your favorite opening for white and why?
Bernice: I like to play the Queen's Gambit because I can take control of this center, and if they fall into the trap you win a piece.
Q: What’s your favorite opening for black and why?
Bernice : Against E4 I like to play the Sicilian because I can control the center. Against D4 I play Slav defense since I can develop fast and my queen can get into the king easily.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside chess?
Bernice: I like to swim and read. My favorite book is Harry Potter.
Q: What’s your favorite piece on the board and why?
Bernice: The knight because it is very tricky.
Q: When did you start chess and how did you get into it?
Bernice: I started at five and I got into it when I joined first grade. I saw people playing outside and I wanted to join the club when I saw chess played and thought it was really fun and wanted to try.
Q: Does your school have a chess team?
Bernice: First I joined the team for studying [chess] but everybody was really young so then I joined a [chess] club because the players were seniors and around my age.
Q: And finally, what are your goals for chess in the future?
Bernice: To help other kids study chess and become a Grandmaster.
I hope you are excited as we are about Bernice’s chess future, both in Her Move Next tournaments and beyond. It’s hard for her because of the time difference between New York and Kenya. She starts our tournaments at 1:30 am and finishes at 4:30 am. Despite this, Bernice continues to play well and participate in our puzzle warmups. We all wish her good luck and to continue loving and playing chess!