Poker face part of package for Armeen

PETRA FINER

MOVING ON UP: Chess sensation Armeen Jeftha prepares to take on the country.

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Eleven-year-old Armeen Jeftha is taking on the nation's best after a run of 64 chess wins.

The winning streak has cemented the Hawera student's place in the New Zealand junior and rapid chess championships in Auckland next week.

The so far unbeaten champ would have shown no emotion to his fallen competitors. His poker-face approach is part of his game strategy, putting players on the back foot with his seeminglyblase style.

But underneath bubbles a fierce competitor with a love for chess.

"I'm excited and I want to do well but for me it's about seeing how I compare to the rest of the country."

Armeen Jeftha was also part of the Patea Area School team which finished in the top five nationally in 2007 and first in Taranaki.

Since then the school has won either the primary or intermediate event for the past three years and lived up to its favourite status at every tournament.

Father and coach Ludfie said his son has played since the age of four and showed a natural ability towards the sport.

"From the start we have told him brilliant chess players are brilliant thinkers."

Now at Hawera Intermediate School, Jeftha junior is still following his father and helps coach others.

The junior championship runs from July 5 to 8 with the junior rapid play starting on July 9.

- © Fairfax NZ News