A student from Lanzarote, Joel Ascensión, is professionally dedicated to playing chess in Lanzarote and the Canary Islands. He started at the age of seven and has not stopped playing until now, at the age of 15. During an interview this Thursday for Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero, he explains to listeners his career and some unknown details of the world of chess.
His father was the cause of his interest in the sport, and it started in a very curious way, precisely at the age of seven. "The power went out at home, my father took out the chess set and we started playing," he said. Shortly after, a teacher reintroduced him to the sport. "He taught me in a teleclub in Uga and I decided to continue playing," he stressed.
At the age of eight, he made his first professional commitment to the sport. "I was champion of the Under 10 Category," he recalled before the microphones. He has been dedicating his free time to chess with the 'Club Cial' team for several years now. Specifically seven years, in which he has had time to "travel to championships in the Canary Islands, enter the Top 10 and qualify in the Under 16", he revealed live.
He also has training in the sport. "I have the Title of Insular Chess Arbiter" of the Canary Islands", he points out. A training adapted to "control the players, make the pairings and verify the movements" throughout the game. Of the various championships he has entered, he remembers with joy the last one in which he achieved recognition. "Two weeks ago I became cadet runner-up".
His agenda for this 2024 is full of new challenges. "On January 26 and February 3 I have to play in the Lanzarote Youth Championship", he announced. In addition, he will soon "also go to La Palma". And he makes a request for the new year: "let's see if luck falls".
Benefits of chess
A sport unknown to many and with various benefits within reach. Not recommended for restless people, but perfect for exercising memory. "Chess gives you an impressive level of concentration and memory", details the young man. A sport of great help for adults and children. "It is very good for children and the elderly", he added.
He reveals that to succeed, you must maintain "calm and tranquility" in each game. "It can last four hours, therefore, you have to know that there is nothing else, only the board and the opponent", he explained. From his personal point of view, chess has brought him many good things. "It has helped me to concentrate on one thing", he added.
