How did you learn to play chess and who taught you the sport?
I learnt the moves when I was two from my dad. He used to play often during his high school, but the first chess trainer I ever had was a public class with FIDE Master, Mr. Afshari, and I was six years old. My mom decided for me to start chess mainly because I finished fourth grade when I was four years old, but at that time the government didn’t have any rules which could allow me to cut some grades and I had to start from first grade. So my mum started taking me to different classes such as gymnastics, ballet, music, swimming, English language, painting and finally chess. Shortly after my chess lessons, I became Iran’s under-eight Girls Champion in 2006.
Who is your role model and why?
Robert James “Bobby” Fischer. He was the first American to become World Champion. His chess style and the fact that he managed to climb his way to the top in an ocean of Soviet Union chess players amaze me.
At the very strong Qatar Open
Why did you become a chess player?
Well, after winning Iran's Youth under-eight and ten championships I started working with grandmaster Elshan Moradiabadi in 2010. He was the one who built my chess, although he moved to the USA in 2012 and has been improving his chess career ever since. In 2011, I got my first Asian youth medal – I finished as runner-up in the Girls under-14. That had a huge impact on me believing I could achieve the grandmaster title.
Tell us about your recent successes?
I won the Asian Youth Championship three times, and in 2012 the Girls Under-14, when I was awarded the Women FIDE Master title. In 2013 the Girls Under-16 and again in 2014 the Girls Under-16. After that I didn’t play much youth championships and tried to focus on improving my chess by playing strong international open tournaments. In 2015 I played more or less 160 rated standard games and I gained about 200 FIDE Elo points, plus achieved the Women International title. Also, I managed to become the second highest rated girl under 18 in the world in 2015 and to keep it up for over a year. In 2016 I played 90 rated games and managed to achieve the Women’s Grandmaster and Open International Master title. Currently I am the only girl in the under 18 category with both of these titles.
You are a professional chess player and, as I know, you are living in Spain. Why is that?
That’s true, I currently live in Barcelona. I moved here to improve my chess because there are so many tournaments around to play in.
Since you now live in Europe, are you a member for any leagues there?
Yes, so far in 2015-16 I was invited to play in the Austrian Women’s Bundesliga, Belgium, Spain and the Switzerland Super League. In Switzerland I represented the Gonzen Chess Club, and our team won the Super League. Our first board was ex-FIDE World Champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov.
A big appeal for moving to Europe is the abundance of
tournaments and leagues, here she is in the Austrian one
I noticed you didn’t represent any team in the European Club Cup. Why is that?
I thought my team in Switzerland would be playing the European Club Cup in 2016, but it seems like we will be playing in 2017!
What were your impressions about the Baku Olympiad 2016?
Actually, I was there myself and the organization was quite spectacular. The most interesting and overwhelming result of all was the Americans winning the Open section of Olympiad after about 40 years! The USA women team also got very close to a medal.
What do you think about the World Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin that was played in New York?
Some world championships have been played in New York before, and this one had many ups and downs. I think Karjakin showed great chess, although I would like to see Magnus crossing 2900 or 3000 someday soon.
At the World Youth Chess Championship in Durban, a true heartbreaker for her!
What do you think about chess in the United States?
US chess has improved quite stunningly. They currently have the Open Olympiad Gold, the under-20 World Junior Gold, and by having the World Championship match in New York, lots of people will be more familiar with chess. Lots of tournaments to play as well like Millionaire Chess, lots of tournaments in Texas and lots of great chess clubs, such as Saint Louis. It shows US chess is improving rather quickly.
Do you plan to start participating in tournaments in the United States?
Yeah I would really like that! Hopefully I will play some events there in 2017.
Travel is a normal part of a chess player. Here she is in Moscow, for the Aeroflot Open.
Have you always wanted to play in a strong team and why?
Definitely! It would be so great to be part of a team with strong teammates and to have medal winning chances.
You commented on a game of yourself which was recognised the best game of the round in the Oslo Chess Festival. Are you considering doing commentary on other games as well?
I really liked commenting on my games. However, I’ve never tried commenting live on other games, but I think I would really like doing it.
Dorsa in the Oslo Chess Festival
What is your favourite game you have played?
I’ve had some pretty memorable results against strong grandmasters, but I absolutely love my win against WGM Zhansaya Abdumalik in the World Junior 2015.
What books are reading these days?
I became very fond of Gelfand's books as well as new series of best games 2012-2015 of chess evolution!
In a video you have done with Chessbase, you mentioned that you have a chess plan for yourself. Can you explain what it is?
Mostly I want to play as much as possible and improve my chess as much as I possibly can! But in detail: firstly I wanted to conquer the Asian Youth Championships and be in the Iranian adult women national team which I already did years ago. My long term plan would be to be in the top five female chess players in world.
Do you have any sponsors at all?
I’ve never ever had any sort of sponsors whatsoever! My dad covers all my financials (coach, tournaments, etc.) and my mom is my “manager”.
Family is important! Here she is with her brother (front) and Shahin Loprparizangeneh
after winning the Asian youth under 14 in Sri Lanka.
What future tournaments are you planning on playing?
I’m planning on playing Sitges in Spain, Zurich Christmas, Gibraltar tradewise, Graz Open and Reykjavik Open so far!
Dorsa (right) in one of her first successful tournaments
About the author:
Jamie Kenmure is 29 years old, an International Arbiter, FIDE Instructor and a member of the FIDE Executive Board representing Asia. He has a 1600 rating and represents the Australian Federation, and also freelances as a journalist.
