Andover 17-year-old competing in national chess championship

ANDOVER, Mass. — Carissa Yip has loved chess ever since her dad introduced her to the game.

“I started playing very young and started competing in first grade. I just took to it right away,” Carissa says.

From October 21-24, the 17-year-old from Andover is competing in the US Women’s Chess Championship hosted by the St Louis Chess Club.  

Carissa has competed in this tournament for the last five years and she is the youngest woman ever to do so. The competition will be held online this year.

With her success has come recognition and for Carissa, that’s fine.  She wants to be considered a role model for other young girls.

“Who wouldn’t want to be considered a role model. Don’t let adversity stop you. There are always going to be people who will say, you’re a girl, you’re bad at chess or something. I enjoy being in the spotlight," she said.

Daily rounds can be watched for free from Oct. 21 to Oct. 29 on uschesschamps.com or on STLChessClub’s YouTube or Twitch.tv channels.

Cox Media Group