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Montrealer Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux turned the primary Quebecer and solely second Canadian to win the world under-18 chess championships final week.

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Rodrigue-Lemieux stated being world champion is “loopy” and one thing he didn’t actually count on when he travelled to Mamaia, Romania, for the match.

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He scored 9 factors out of 11 — seven victories and 4 attracts — beating adversaries from 54 international locations within the Sept. 5-17 occasion. Amongst these he beat was Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan, who completed second within the rankings. He drew towards Marius Fromm of Germany, who completed third.

With the win, Rodrigue-Lemieux receives the primary norm towards reaching the title of Grandmaster, the very best title in chess.

“He might grow to be the youngest Quebecer in historical past to acquire the title of Grandmaster,” stated Richard Bérubé, basic supervisor of the Fédération québécoise des échecs. About 1,200 gamers are worldwide Grandmasters, together with Quebecers Kevin Spragget, Pascal Charbonneau and Thomas Roussel-Roozmon, who acquired the title on the age of twenty-two.

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Rodrigue-Lemieux, who was aiming for a high 5 or finally high three within the match, had gained the Canadian championship in Hamilton in July.

“I began enjoying (chess) in schoolyards after I was in elementary faculty and I used to be instantly taken with it,” he stated. “Rapidly, I did fairly massive tournaments.”

Having turned 18 this yr, it was his final alternative to play in a youth match, however he has already begun enjoying in all-ages occasions. He’s finding out social research at Collège de Maisonneuve, with a specialization in legislation, and desires to pursue these research, however doesn’t exclude a profession in chess.

“Clearly, I wish to go to college, however chess can also be a part of my future.”