Send Sergio to Chess Nationals

I am writing this letter on behalf of Sergio Del Bosque, one of Swift Current’s newest residents and a Grade 11 student at Swift Current Comprehensive High School, having arrived here from his native Mexico in October of 2022. Since that time, Sergio has been an exemplary student despite being immersed in a new country, new language, and new season (I am of course referring to winter in Saskatchewan), yet maintaining a 90% average in rigorous courses including Health Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science. In addition, he was one of the first students to join SCCHS’s Chess Club, which was formed by myself and Carson Montgomery, a Chinook School Division employee, in January of 2023.

While our club one day hopes to develop into a more formal structure, we were impressed by an initial sign-up of 53 students, which has become a more dedicated grassroots core that still remains lively and active. Twice a week, as many as twenty games of chess are being played simultaneously at lunch, and many more occurring via correspondence over our club’s account at the non-profit website Lichess. Nonetheless, it became apparent very early on that Sergio was no regular chess player: in the walls of our school, he is unbeatable.

It was with this success that Carson encouraged Sergio to attend chess tournaments, most recently the provincial chess championship in Regina. While our club currently lacks the infrastructure and funds to send him, he was able to attend as an individual and not only was able to visit Regina for the first time, but, to our great delight, in a field of many elite players, became the Saskatchewan chess champion. This all only months after moving to our province.

As champion, Sergio is now invited to the national chess championship, being held in Montreal from May 22-24th. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, but one which Sergio may or may not be able to take part in (I do not say this for dramatic effect, it is very much in the air at this point). Carson and I have begun the process of fundraising for Sergio as he (and being a minor, a parent chaperone) would require funds for travel, accommodation, and other costs for such a trip. Even with the intention of minimizing costs, cross-Canada flights will likely mean the trip will cost several thousand dollars.

Being a new family to Swift Current, I can attest to the challenge Sergio and his family would have paying for such a trip. I can assure you that Sergio’s situation is such that, only through support of your help, can Sergio’s ambitions and this trip become a reality.

Sincerely, Riley Sharp