When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail.

-- ABRAHAM MASLOW

Hi! Welcome back!

"Why can't I be a champion?" is a question many have asked. Is it elusive? Is it that some people are made different? No, I don't think so. But these are all questions we've asked at some point in time. Today I'm introducing a new section to this page. It's called 'Meet the Champions!' We all want to know about the champions of chess in Jamaica. What goes on in their mind? What is it about them that makes them champions? How can I be like them? Every week I'll interview a different champion in chess. I'll go as deep into their lives as I'm allowed (smile). Today we are with the National Female Champion, Keisha Ramator.

You know... you can't help but to like Keisha. It must be her stunning personality or looks, but when we sat down to do this interview I couldn't help but notice the attention she drew. Kids and adults all seem to be looking on, and of course you had a few brave ones that came over with the typical question, "Who is she?" Well, who is Keisha Ramator?

Keisha Ramator, at 23 years of age and a Utech student in her final year, is the defending National Female Chess Champion. She learnt the game at Wolmer's High for girls, a school that has been blessed with many chess talents and I suppose, with the assistance of many famous Jamaican chess coaches (Tobisch, Byfield and Porter to name a few), why wouldn't they?

WE: Keisha, what makes you play chess more than any other game?

KR: The challenge, the challenge of analyzing and the fact that it's a mind game. It gives this feeling of having an intellectual edge. Plus I like the competition and challenging men at a game they think is theirs.

WE: Tell us how you got into competitive chess?

KR: Well I learnt in 1993 with a small group at Wolmer's. This was the only sport that kept me so involved. I've had bad experiences with other sports. I tried netball but one day a girl threw a ball towards me that landed in my chest! That was it for netball. Then I tried volleyball, but I got my thumb sprained and my hands hurt. Chess was perfect!

Keisha is reserved... she's the type of girl that likes to hang out in the countryside at times (nature lover if you will). Some of her favourite past time involve going to St Mary, where there's a nice nature feeling with springs and coconuts. Like every other female she enjoys going to the movies and so on... she reminisces about her weekly visit to Hellshire for lunch.

WE: Tell us about some memorable moments in chess?

KR: Well, I remember having a match against Wolmer's Boys in the school tournament. Now the Wolmer's Boys were always bragging about how much they are big axes, and "big axes cut down all trees!" Well they came and left with their heads down that day... we gave them a 4-0 drubbing!

As I said, the Wolmer's Girls Team has always been talented! Keisha graduated in 1998 after playing for four years on the school team (winning best female team almost every year). After 1998 she took a two-year break from competitive chess, mostly because of the lack of female tournaments. In 2001 a big resurgence occurred in women's chess, based on efforts of The Liguanea Chess Club, The Jamaica Chess Federation and Mr Bertram Scott. Keisha made her return in a blitz tournament, five minute chess in which she finished first. She then went on to play in the Female Nationals finishing with an almost perfect score to win the title. She attributes this success partly to that two-year period when she played many friendly games with stronger guys. She learnt from those defeats.

WE: Is chess a sport, science, art, passion or what?

KR: I suppose it's a combination of them all... you see; it's not just a game. You can use aspects of chess and apply it to life... this is more than a game.

WE: Any role models or mentors?

KR: In chess, Russell Porter has been a mentor. He stayed a long time coaching Wolmer's Girls and myself personally. As for role models... probably Julia Roberts for her humility.

Keisha's goal in life is to become a Financial Analyst and she's well on her path. She completes her degree in Finance this August. She wants to take her game to the highest level. She admits that she needs to put in more work though and compares herself to a rough diamond. I guess as soon as it's polished and shined its perfection will show!

WE: Compare your chess style to an animal?

KR: Well, I like to make things look easy, give away some pieces, then set up my opponent and when they least expect it...

I guess that's a SNAKE!

WE: Any message for upcoming chess talents or those who have little interest in chess?

KR: I would encourage others to learn and play the game... its benefits are overwhelming. As for upcoming players, you might lose a few games but see it as a learning experience, don't stop! And for girls, stop looking at chess as a male sport cuz' I'm not... help build the sport and it will help to build you.

I couldn't have said it better. I of course thanked Keisha for the interview... a great talent indeed! What was amazing to me is that Keisha seemed like any other girl out there. There was no sign of egotism or abnormality that is usually associated with champions. Hey, maybe you can be normal and a champion at the same time.

Next week you'll get into the life of a famous Jamaican chess champion... current Master's Knockout champion, Shane "the Magician" Matthews. Other upcoming interviews include, NM Jomo Pitterson (National Blitz Champion), Daren Wisdom (National Junior Champion), and Brandon Wilson (National Novice Champion and many more, myself (National Champion) included.

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