A local teen has found a new love in the game of chess. Noah Gentis, a 19-year-old from Madill, has taken his love for chess and turned himself into a champion.
Gentiswasdiagnosedwith Autism early on in his life and has triumphed through some associated difficulties. Chess has been one of the avenues that has helped him through adversity.
Three years ago, Gentis found information on how to playchessonlineandthrough YouTube. He fell in love with the game immediately.
Gentis spent countless hours studying the game and competing online for practice. Only a few months into his newly found niche, he competed in his first chess competitiononJune16,2022. Even though he was new at the game, Gentis walked away a winner taking home the 2nd place trophy against lifelong players.
Gentis continued to study the game and spent his time replaying previous games and moves that had been made in the attempt to sharpen his skills further and refine the strategies required to win. With a remarkable memory and drive for perfection, Gentis found himself in more competitions.
Some competitions were classic chess that can go to three hours per game and some were speed competitions that have a nice cash win. There was a big chess tournament in the Texas DFW area that he took home a 1st place trophy.
A big competition was held in Grapevine, Texas over Thanksgiving weekend. The event had140 of the top ranked players from all over the nation competing.
Gentis took 17th place and made his family, friends, FB followers and fellow players proud. In the state of Oklahoma, there are 650 ranked chess players, Gentis is in the top 100.
Gentis said he is a huge fan of Master Chess player MagnusCarlson.Alsothathe does not do it for the cash but for the challenge and excitement he feels while playing.
Gentis said he hopes to see a chess club formed and that the school will employ this extracurricular activity for their students in the future.