Listen to this article
Dear 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated using text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
A young Saskatoon chess player is just two steps away from becoming a grandmaster.
Omid Khaledi, 19, recently achieved the rank of FIDE Master in the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The only two higher ranks are international master and grandmaster.
Khaledi has been steadily rising through the ranks by defeating stronger players in tournaments in places like Las Vegas, Nevada and Iceland.
“It’s really important,” said Ryan Meneses, an instructor at the Saskatchewan Horizon Chess Academy. “As far as I know, we don’t have any FIDE masters in Saskatoon yet.”
To become a FIDE master, a player must have a rating of 2300.
Khaledi was born in Saskatchewan but spent much of his youth in Iran, where his mother introduced him to chess at the age of six.
“The pieces were like soldiers,” Khaledi said. “The king is like the warrior of the game. And, you know, it was very exciting.”
His mother took him to a chess academy, where he played against one of the most experienced coaches.
“We played a game and he was really surprised,” Khaledi said. “He asks, ‘Who is this guy? He has a lot of potential.'” And that’s how I got into real chess tournaments.”
Khaledi returned to Saskatoon about a year and a half ago and has taken Saskatchewan chess circles by storm.
“It was a shock that such a strong player came out,” said Meneses, who has had the opportunity to play against Khaledi in some tournaments.
“I haven’t survived the opening against him,” he said. “Some people have reached out, but it always ends in a tie for whoever has reached out.
“He hasn’t lost a game since he’s been here.”
For chess players’ ratings to increase, they must play in tournaments against higher-ranked opponents.
“And you have to beat them,” Khaledi said.
“And based on the difference between your rating and your opponent’s, when you win a game, you get a certain amount of rating.”
He said it was exciting when he finally reached the magical 2,300 mark.
“That’s a very nice milestone,” Khaledi said. “It didn’t surprise me. I had in mind becoming a member of FIDE. [master]… I’m proud.”
Khaledi is also making an impact on the local chess scene.
“With Omid’s presence, as well as just his rating, he can help, you know, raise the [ratings] of players in Saskatchewan,” said Julius Villamar, organizing director of the Bridge City Chess Club.
“We have many young minds that are learning and we are teaching them and they admire the strongest players,” Meneses added. “Omid’s presence here is an example of how good they can be and I hope they take inspiration from that.”
Khaledi, who is ranked 34th in Canada, said he is now aiming for a rating of 2,350.
To become a grandmaster, you will need a rating of 2500 or higher.
“It’s not a long-term vision,” he said. “It’s just my next step.”
