Whiz Kid: Rafeh Qazi

Age: 17

Grade: Entering senior year

School:  Niles North High School

Accomplishments:  Rafeh Qazi has emerged as a powerhouse player on the Niles North chess team which captured second place in the state and fourth place nationally this year. 

“Qazi’s chess ability and performance have improved so much and so quickly this year it’s difficult to fathom at times," said  Niles North head chess coach Harry Kyriazes.  

During the past year,  Qazi’s U.S. Chess Federation performance rating rocketed up to 1902 from 1357, an astonishing 545 points. This puts him in the top 2 percent for junior players in the United States and on the top 100 list for 17 year-olds in the country.

Qazi learned how to move the pieces when he was six-years-old from his father but did not start playing chess seriously until his freshman year. This summer, Qazi is stepping up his efforts even more by playing in many tournaments and working hard to further improve his game. His meteoric rise in the chess world is catching some off guard. In a recent simultaneous exhibition, Qazi was able to score a draw from Grand Master Mesgen Amanov.  

Qazi’s immense  rating gains will also result in an invitation to join the Warren Junior Scholars, a  program sponsored by the Illinois Chess Association which  supports and promotes the top junior chess players in the state.  His immediate chess goal is to become an Expert, a designation which is awarded once a player reaches a USCF rating of 2000.

Key to Awesomeness:

Qazi’s success and passion for the game stems from his being part of the Niles North chess program. 

“Coach Kyriazes has been incredibly encouraging to me.  When I have a bad game, he is always positive and encourages me to use it as a learning opportunity and to move on," he said. "I also love being part of the Niles North team and contributing to its success. The team has really helped me develop as a player and I hope I can repay the favor.

“ I look forward to playing at the Niles North chess meetups this summer, working with teammates,  and recruiting new chess talent for the team."

Qazi  played a lead role in the recently released cutting edge Niles North chess recruitment video .     

“With the loss of five top seniors players, Qazi, is a lynchpin to the chess team’s success next year together with national high school chess champion Eric Rosen. I am confident that Qazi will set an example by working hard, and continuing  to show his passion and love for the game," noted Coach Kyriazes.  

Qazi  looks forward to the challenge: “I know we’ll continue to be one of the top teams in the state and country. The only difference next year is that we’ll beat out Whitney Young," he said.

Whitney Young is Niles North’s chief rival over the board and narrowly edged them out in this year’s state championship final round.

The young chess star said he also believes chess has helped him with his studies and his ability to concentrate for long stretches of time. While he uncertain about his future plans at the moment, Qazi said he looks forward to teaching the game to younger players and improving his own game. The senior also enjoys playing soccer and is an avid fan.