079 Sometimes a passion for chess runs so deep you want to make it your life. That’s the story of South Africa’s WIM Charlize van Zyl. While she earned the WIM at just age 13, she didn’t fully realize her passion for the game until she left it for five years and then returned to it as an adult.

From there, she earned her way to multiple Chess Olympiads and is now gunning for the WGM title.

Plus, she has a chess business and recently became a reporter for FIDE’s most elite tournaments.

We also discuss:

• What chess skills she needs to develop to go from WIM to WGM
• What it’s like interviewing Magnus Carlsen
• What top chess player she’d most like to hang out with

More From Charlize:

• Charlize’s Twitter
• Charlize’s Instagram
• Charlize’s business, Chess Kidding

Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)