In addition to two European medals, Vlaming Daniel (19) now also breaks world records of Simultaan Chess: « Fantastic that it succeeded » (Antwerp)

At the age of fifteen, Daniel Dardha from Deurne became the youngest Belgian grandmaster ever. But now, in addition to two European medals that he already achieved, he can also win a world record. « I am very happy that it succeeded. It feels very special to break a world record, » he says. « With 87 percent profit, I put the previous record a lot sharper. It was very hard work, but it is fantastic that it worked. »

I am very happy that it worked. It feels very special to break a world record

Daniel Dardha

Chess grandmaster

A chess club from Deinze challenged the Antwerp chess grandmaster. « I had to compete against fifty chess players and there was a clock with each chessboard. I had a maximum of 8 seconds per move per opponent, while they could make their move quietly. In the end I spent four hours, » says Daniel Dardha. The previous world record was in the name of a Dutch chess player, who defeated 35 of the 50 opponents.

So father, so son

It was father Ben Dardha who introduced Daniel in the chess world. Ben: « I quickly realized that Daniel had talent. I trained him to a certain level, but now he is so strong that he outscludes me. Talent is one thing, but you also have to work hard to achieve and retain this level, » he said earlier.

Talent is one thing, but you also have to work hard to reach and maintain this level

Ben Dardha

Father

At the age of 15, Daniel stopped school and followed home education to combine school work with chess sport. In the meantime, he travels around the world to play chess. In recent months he has been in Poland, France and Uzbekistan, this summer there is a tournament in the United Arab Emirates planned and on Tuesday he leaves for London for the World Championships in Team context.

« I am in the top hundred worldwide, but I am not yet where I want to be. My best position was around sixty, but I dream of a place in the top ten, » he says. What he earns per tournament varies greatly and he would rather not stick any amounts. But he currently has no professional coach because that is very expensive. « If I am in the top ten, I can have a beautiful life. I want to go for that. »