Almost 450 players from 18 African countries competed in the regional event. Dubai: Rafael Sharon, a 17-year-old chess prodigy from the United Arab Emirates, won the gold medal in the Under-18 division at the 16th Africa Youth Chess Championship, which took place in December in Harare, Zimbabwe. This achievement is historic for Zambian chess. Nearly 450 players from 18 African countries competed in the continental competition. Rafael’s victory put an end to Zambia’s more than 15-year drought for an U18 gold medal in the tournament. Another noteworthy aspect of his victory was that, according to FIDE rules, he became the first player of Indian descent to win gold at the competition, qualifying for the International Master (IM) title.
“Being a Grandmaster by 2027 is my ultimate goal, but winning this gold medal is a significant step. Rafael remarked, “I am working hard every day to reach that level.” Rafael has slowly developed a strong international resume while representing the Zambia Chess Federation. He became the first athlete of Indian descent to be selected Zambia’s Young Sportsman of the Year in 2024. At the Commonwealth Chess Games in Sri Lanka last year, he won two gold medals in the Under-20 division, further demonstrating his growing prominence. Rafael enthusiastically represents Zambia on the international scene despite having been born and raised in the United Arab Emirates.
He has won multiple medals at competitions held throughout the United Arab Emirates and is a member of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club. His most recent accomplishment was praised by representatives of the Chess Federation of Zambia as a significant advancement for the country’s youth chess growth and a step toward raising the sport’s profile throughout Africa. Program for homeschooling Rafael’s family is originally from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram. Mathew Sharon, his father, is an Abu Dhabi-based businessman. Rafael follows a homeschooling program while studying for his A-levels, juggling his studies with competitive chess. “I’m homeschooling and getting ready for my A-levels. It allows me to concentrate on both chess and academics, which is crucial because I want to be the best at both,” he remarked.
His dedication to the game is evident in his everyday training regimen. “I play chess for five to six hours every day. I train alone most of the time, focusing on tactics, openings, and game analysis. My coach, Grandmaster Adam Tukhaev of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, is the person I turn to whenever I have questions or need advice. His guidance enables me to continuously grow and hone my approach. Rafael continued, saying, “The Zambian Chess Federation has supported me a lot, and I hope my accomplishments can inspire the next generation of kids in Zambia to excel in chess.”
