Summary

Bellevue resident preparing to become chess Grandmaster

Story

13-year old Naomi Bashkansky was recognized today by the Metropolitan King County Council for her win at the 2016 World School Chess Championship in the girls under 13 category.

At the Championship, Bashkansky, a Bellevue resident, was matched against girls from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkey. Bashkansky was undefeated in the tournament with with five wins and four draws. With the tournament win, she earned the title of Woman FIDE Master from the World Chess Federation and has been invited to the 2017 World School Chess Championship in Romania.

Bashkansky is a student at Odle Middle School in Bellevue, where she excels in math and enjoys participating in dance class.

Chess is a family affair and Naomi’s parents, Guy and Ludmila, and brother, Ethan, travel with Naomi when she competes internationally. They joined Naomi in Council Chambers when she received the Council’s recognition.

When giving the recognition to Bashkansky, Councilmember Claudia Balducci congratulated her on her win, saying “Naomi is an impressive competitor and a credit to her family and our community. The discipline, strategic thinking, and determination she brings to chess will serve her well in the rest of her life.”

Bashkansky is set on continuing her chess practice, citing that she will be enrolling at Newport High School where she plans to continue perfecting her talent while maintaining the hectic life of a teenager. In a quote following the recognition

“When I won the last round I was just happy to have an excuse to not do any of my homework,” said Bashkansky. “I am grateful for my coach, my parents, and for everyone who encouraged me from the beginning to achieve great things, most notably my brother, Ethan. Without any of them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Chess Champion Naomi Bashkansky is joined by Councilmembers, her family and chess coach Greg Serper. Bashkansky was recognized by the Council for winning the 2016 World School Chess Championship in the girls under 13 category

WHEREAS, Naomi Bashkansky, a resident of Bellevue and a student at Odle Middle School, won the 2016 World School Chess Championship in the girls under 13 category in Sochi, Russia, on December 12, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Naomi was undefeated with four draws and five wins, playing against girls from Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan; and

WHEREAS, Naomi is known for her aggressive style of play and strategy of “squeezing” her opponents; and

WHEREAS, with this win, Naomi earned the title of Woman FIDE Master from the World Chess Federation and has been invited to the 2017 World School Chess Championship in Romania; and

WHEREAS, playing chess helps brain development, especially when played at an early age; helps players learn how to strategize and think ahead; increases self-confidence and discipline; and boosts problem solving skills; and

WHEREAS, Naomi is an excellent math student, working at two or three years above her grade, and enjoys performing with the Odle Middle School dance class; and

WHEREAS, Greg Serper, a chess grandmaster, coaches Naomi and helps her realize her chess potential; and

WHEREAS, Naomi’s parents, Guy and Ludmila, and her older brother, Ethan, regularly travel the world so she can compete at international events;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, recognize and salute

for her extraordinary accomplishment and outstanding achievement in world chess and hope that she will continue to enjoy competitive chess and one day be a grandmaster.

DATED this thirtieth day of January, 2017.