Deysi Cori just has to get this grandmaster title to have won everything as a chess player. She started her career at just 8 years old and managed to excel in a sport little known but valued in our country, knocking down pawns, kings, bishops and knights. Her calm personality and ability to analyze everything made her triple World Champion and believers in many other titles that have made all of Peru proud.
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Deysi always says that it was her father who introduced her to the world of chess. He didn’t know how to play but out of curiosity he bought a board and a book so she could learn the basics. The pretty pieces caught the attention of her daughter, who almost instinctively began to move them. Soon after, Don Jorge had nothing left to teach him and he had to hire a teacher. And even though the economy wasn’t great, he always managed to get Deysi and his brother Jorge to enter tournaments because the talent was there and so the money could be raised.
—You recently won the silver medal at the Women’s Continental Chess Championship. How was the experience?
—I was out of Peru for more or less 25 days. I competed in that competition and then traveled to the Dominican Republic for the Absolute Continental Chess Championship. They were two very important events, one of the most important that we have here on the continent. At the championship that took place in Cuba, I was able to win the silver medal. It was very intense days with a lot of preparation where I got to play games for 5 to 6 hours. I was totally exhausted.
—It’s a curious fact that you competed against your brother in one of those competitions…
—It was pretty impressive because on the mainland of the Dominican Republic we were in more than 20 countries and I just had to face my brother and say, ‘Oh, what a pity.’ We played the game, actually there should have been should be a tie. However, Jorge took a lot of risks, he wanted to beat me and at some point he made a mistake that I took advantage of.
—This year you also received the title of Outright International Champion, a degree traditionally awarded to male players. What does this success mean for your career?
—It is very important because it opens the doors for me to participate in other tournaments, since the organizers invite qualified chess players and as long as your title is higher they offer you better conditions. By that I mean you get tickets, accommodation, meals and even a daily rate. Also, getting it is not easy, you have to meet various requirements and participate in tournaments with a certain status. In Latin America we are the few women who hold this title.
YOU CAN SEE: Jorge Cori reiterates that he expected “a car or an apartment” as the prize
—What is your next goal as a chess player?
—I want to get the Grandmaster title, it’s the only one I’m missing and I’m working hard for it. I also want to climb the world rankings, get in the top 20 and keep fighting to keep climbing.
The beginnings of Deysi Cori
“You started competing at a very young age. I can imagine that it must have been exhausting to train and study at the same time.” How would you describe your childhood?
—Ugh, it was a lot of sacrifices because I had to go to school. With my brother we got up early, did homework during the break and often had lunch in the car because we had to get to practice quickly. I remember that we spent many hours in Plaza Francia because a lot of chess games were played there and it was useful for us to train.
At home we also exercised by reading books or a teacher came to give us lessons and it was like that every day. We had to give up activities typical of our age to dedicate ourselves to learning, but in the end this sacrifice paid off because the extensive knowledge we acquired led to winning our first competitions and that was motivating us. We always had a new goal.
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—Do you feel that the Peruvian state recognizes your achievements and supports your career?
—In some events I got support, but the truth was very difficult, especially in the beginning, because usually when you have won many tournaments, there is no risk for them to support you because you give them good publicity. But when you’re just starting out and you’re not well known, it’s difficult to find someone to help you with funding so you can travel or fund the education you need.
Currently support has grown as chess is already seen as an intellectual sport but more is needed. In my case, for example, I don’t have a coach and neither do other master chess players and it’s very complicated because while other countries go to tournaments with a whole technical team, we cover our own expenses and try to work miracles with what we can get. have. For this reason, private support is very important, because what the state gives is often not enough.
Deysi Cori dreams of becoming a congressman
“Is it true that you plan to run for Congress?”
—Yes, ever since I was a child I always wanted to pursue an activity that would allow me to help the people who need it most (…) For this reason I intend to go into politics and become a congressman to become. I would like to support people through sport and encourage them to practice it in children, young people and the elderly.
“I understand that you do regular social work, tell me about it.”
—Yes, we are currently working on social projects with my manager Carlos Maury. We go into churches and see people’s struggles up close. Many of them do not have access to basic services such as water and electricity. Not only do we support the sport, but we also try to create a communication that will help them solve these problems.
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Likewise, since April I have been working for the regional government of Callao, where I am committed to promoting sport as an image. In addition to my goals as a chess player, I would therefore also like to devote a lot to the social part.
Deysi Cori and her manager Carlos Maury, who also acts as a “guinea pig” in a jointly run mental health project. For this reason, Maury competes with renowned international masters at the traditional Capablanca, held every year in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Daniela Otoya
— What does Deysi Cori do when she’s not playing chess?
—I love watching movies, listening to music, eating and making certain cakes. I don’t really like going out, but when I do I prefer to enjoy daytime activities such as visiting museums, libraries and trade fairs.
Deysi Cori is gearing up for her next challenge: taking part in the World Women’s Chess Championship, which will be held in Azerbaijan on July 29. With a smile, he promises to do his best to give the country another medal.