Whiz kid Siti Zulaikha has all the right moves to make it big

SITI Zulaikha Foudzi is 15 and just sat for her PMR examinations. But don't expect the exams to strain her too much mentally. After all, she is a whiz in that most cerebral game of all – chess. 

Siti started playing the game with her father Dr Muhmad Faouzi Haji Ahmad when she was just 11. 

A year later, at the 1999 national championships, she surprised everyone, including herself, when she won the women's event to earn her the national masters title. 

“I was quite shocked at that time because there were so many people there who had been playing for years,” said Siti whose goal now is to become world champion. And she is well on her way. 

ON THE MOVE:The Games chess team training with coach Victor Komliarov fromRussia at the Chess Network at Wilayah Complex in KL.Players (from left to right)areSiti Zulaikha Foudzi,Nur Shazwani Zullkafli and Wan Khye Theng.

Besides dominating the local chess scene, she is now concentrating on earning norms (merit points) to move up the ranks at international level.  

At the 2003 Commonwealth Championship in Mumbai, India, she defeated higher players to earn her a norm for an upgrade from national master to Fide master. She also managed to finished second overall in the championships. 

Siti earned her second norm at the Zonal Chess Asian Tournament.  

“I need another norm to earn an upgrade to international master,” said Siti, who spends most of her free time playing against the computer and reading chess books. 

The Vietnam SEA Games could provide that.  

“I can win a norm at the SEA Games,” said Siti.  

“And I have two more opportunities early next year when I take part in an international tournament in Hautings, England and the Commonwealth Open in India.” 

Siti will play an important role for the national team in Vietnam Games.  

She is expected to deliver two of the three targeted silver medals. And Siti is confident. She believes has the right moves.