Determined Chess Girl Ashley Tapp: Can you help her get to World Youth Chess Championship?

How many 12-year-olds would you find working night and day to fulfill a difficult dream? How many 12-year-olds can you spot with the determination of Ashley Tapp? Here is her interesting and inspiring story:

This young Canadian chess player is trying to raise funds all by herself for her journey to the World Youth Chess Championship in Slovenia this November, 2012. In the last few days, Ashley has been in the news in every major Canadian newspaper, radio interviews, Global LIVE TV, top chess blogs in the world. She’s playing chess everywhere – in the market, on the street, at exhibitions… all to raise money for her trip to the world championship.

Moreover, Ashley’s campaign is special for another reason. Her crusade is not just about her chess trip. It’s also about supporting chess for children, chess in Canada and promoting health and fitness for kids and youngsters! Ashley’s mom Sophia told Chess Magazine B&W. “At the WYCC in Slovenia 100 countries will compete and 1,500 children will be playing chess. This is a great opportunity for any chess player.” Sophia said, “Ashley finished second at a national championship and earned herself the right to play in November’s World Youth Chess Championship in Slovenia. Parents in Canada have to carry the entire financial burden; they have to pay high tournament fees.”

Ashley playing in the market to raise funds for her chess championship trip

There is no sponsorship for this little girl to go as Canada does not recognise Chess as a sport. Can this little girl change all that! She has played chess in the streets to raise funds outside the art gallery, to Chapters bookstore and now in the PNE, Canada’s largest ticketed event, a historic move by the PNE.

Can you help sponsor Ashley? Donate via Ashley’s website. Giver her a Facebook Like and ask friends. Follow her on twitter.

Here’s a cute video of Ashley.

You could also support Ashley by buying super chess stuff from her website store. For example, the Chess King – our special chess software powered by the world’s #1 chess engine Houdini and with the huge database of games GigaKing. There are loads of other chess items to buy from Ashley’s website if you want to support her in this mission of hers. Ashley has played consistently over the last few years and is sure to make her mark in the chess world. Even former World Women’s Chess Champions Alexandra Kosteniuk and Susan Polgar are supporting Ashley – they are allowing her to sell chess related material in Ashley’s store on her website. Ashley clearly became a role model for all the players.

We wish all the best to Ashley and are sure she would make it!