Sport | Other Sports
Soccer player turns Grand Master
He was a gifted football player, who even captained the Tehran Juniors, but Ehsan Ghaem Maghami passion for chess surpassed his love for football.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:33 December 29, 2008
- Ehsan Ghaem Maghami plays for Fajr Shams, the second-ranked team in the Asian Chess Champions League.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Al Ain: He was a gifted football player, who even captained the Tehran Juniors, but Ehsan Ghaem Maghami passion for chess surpassed his love for football.
His skill and tact on the chessboard ensured he became a Grand Master (GM) when he was only 18 years old.
Maghami, who was born in Tehran on January 11, 1983, has never had occasion to regret his decision.
The International Law graduate told Gulf News. "I started playing football at the age of eight. I was a good player and went on to captain the Tehran Junior team, but I was also playing a lot of chess and enjoying it more than anything else.
"When the decisive moment came, chess won over football." Maghami said.
Maghami plays for Fajr Shams, the second-ranked team in the Asian Chess Champions League.
After the disappointment of losing in the third round against Club India, Fajr Shams returned to their winning ways by beating their countrymen from Rah Ahan Club 3-1. Maghami defeated Roghan Arash in that clash.
"Winning again is good after our setback in the third round. We are the second-ranked team behind the Al Ain A team and we came to compete for the title.
"We will have to wait and see what the other teams do against Al Ain," Maghami said.
On the first-ever Asian Champions League, Maghami said: "We needed such a competition at the club level in Asia. Despite being finalised less than two months ago, it has succeeded in attracting some of the best clubs in Asia and some of highest ranked players in the world.
"There are a good number of Grand Masters, who can help young players lucky enough to play against them. Just watch ing them play can improve a youngster's game," said Maghami.
Maghami has won 12 medals in Asian Championships, two bronze medals in the 2008 Mind Games Olympics in China, four medals in the World Universities Chess Championships and 35 titles in international chess tournaments.
He set an Iranian record by taking part in the Iran Chess Championships nine times and winning the title seven times.
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