AMY SUN

Junior Tournament Assistant

Amy Sun is a year 11 student at Earl Haig Secondary School in North York, Canada. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading science fiction novels and learning different
languages on Duolingo.

She was first introduced to chess during the pandemic when her teacher dedicated a lesson to teach the fundamentals of chess and encourage students to play against each other. Though a beginner, she fell in love with the complexity and competitive spirit that the game demands. It was also a time when the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit took the internet by storm. Amy was captivated by Beth Harmon’s ability to climb up the ladders from an unknown schoolgirl to a renowned chess player and achieve such excellence in a community lacking female representation. Motivated to become her own version of Beth Harmon, she joined the CYCC chess club where she deepened her understanding of the game under the guidance of Mark, Panos, Mike, and Zane who played a crucial role in her growth.

Amy has enjoyed participating in chess tournaments in the past, including the 2023 Ontario Classical Youth where she had the opportunity to play against talented players who motivated her to improve her skills continuously. To extend her involvement within the chess community, she began volunteering with the Toronto Chess Centre in 2024 to coordinate chess tournaments and provide an amiable and transformative experience for all players. Working alongside a supportive team of experienced arbitrators and understanding the various responsibilities required for a successful chess tournament has prepared her to take on new roles in her chess journey.

As a Tournaments Assistant, Amy looks forward to utilizing the leadership skills she gained as a volunteer to ensure the continued success of future events and uplift the voices of players of all levels. She strives to continue being an advocate in the chess community, whether she is making advancements on the board or outside of the board.