HAYS, Kan. (AP) An 8-year-old Hays girl is gaining notoriety for her chess skills.
The Hays Daily News reports that Sheena Zeng, a fourth-grader at O’Loughlin Elementary School, won about $2,000 over the Christmas holidays at chess tournaments in California and Nevada.
Sheena captured second place, and about $1,800, in her age division at the North American Open in Las Vegas, and won another $364 at the New Year’s Open in Santa Clara, Calif.
Her father Hongbiao Zeng is a math professor at Fort Hays State University, where his wife, Michelle, is an instructor in the same department.
Sheena is also a U.S. Junior Open champion and has had top four finishes in numerous other national and international competitions.