Sheridan’s Kamari Barth: first to represent Wyoming in prestigious chess invitational 

Susan Polgar is an American Chess Grandmaster and a four time World Champion of the game. She founded The Susan Polgar Foundation to promote chess, with all its educational, social, and competitive benefits throughout the United States, for young people of all ages, especially girls.

Sheridan Chess Association members Dan Casey, Kamari Barth and Kamari’s father, Jim, appeared on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to talk about the upcoming Susan Polgar Girls’ Chess Tournament Invitation, to which Kamari has been invited.

The Susan Polgar Girls’ Invitational is an invitation-only chess tournament for young female players, organized by the Susan Polgar Foundation. Considered a prestigious event for girls in chess, it is the first all-girls event approved by the US Chess Federation. The tournament aims to promote chess among girls, with prizes and scholarships awarded to winners.

Jim taught his daughter how to play the game and soon she began to play opponents online. The Barths then learned of the SCA games that take place in the Fulmer Library on Thursday evenings. Jim said soon after his daughter began attending the events, he realized he better improve his game as her skill quickly grew.  

Since that time, Kamari has improved her own skill and knowledge of the game, taking advantage of the chess resources at the Fulmer Library, donated by the SCA. She’s earned the opportunity to play against some of the best chess players in the county. Kamari said it’s the puzzle of chess that intrigues her, playing the game against herself more than her opponent and using each game as a learning experience. 

K. Barth

Kamari will represent Wyoming at The Susan Polgar Girls’ Invitational against girl’s from each state. According to Polgar’s own announcement, this year, the event will be held June 21 – 25, on the Webster University campus grounds near Saint Louis, MO, and will award over $285,000 in prizes and scholarships. 

Kamari understands the pressure that comes with such an honor but she is more excited about making new friends who share her interest in a prestigious game that has been played for approximately 1,500 years. 

K. Barth

Kamari and her father have used Phorge Maker Space to 3D print SCA key chains as a gift to her opponents at the conclusion of each game. 

Costs for Kamari’s trip have been through donations from family and friends as well as the Sheridan Chess Association’s generous sponsors and donors.