Levi Kalani Fogo Esquivel, who hails from Tulum in Quintana Roo, is Mexico’s National Chess Champion in the Under-12 category. He earned a gold and two silver medals at the CONADE Games. (CONADE: Comisión Nacional de Cultura Física y Deporte.)

He also finished in first place in Las Vegas at the International Youth Championship as well as first in the Illinois Open Championship-Reserve Section. At the Illinois Open Blitz tournament, 3-minute games, he finished in second place in a group of twenty-six players. There he had two wins, and two losses, against two local Masters. Only George Li, an International Master, finished ahead of Kalani.

At the World Open tournaments in Philadelphia, he had outstanding performances which earned him some prizes.

Kalani and his mother, Dejanira, recently visited St. Ignatius College Prep where he met the chess team and played some exciting games, Homan Square Park Chess Club, Knight Moves Chess Club at the Rudy Lozano Branch Library and played some games by the Taste of Chicago.

He is registered to play in the FIDE World Junior U20 Championship, September 20 to October 2, in Mexico City. https://www.fide.com/news/2389

Kalani will then compete in Egypt at the FIDE World Cadet Championships U-8, U-10 and U-12, October 14 to 27. https://www.fide.com/news/2422

 

This young boy, a talented and creative chess player, is a rising star and has a bright future ahead of him. He deserves our support.

Below is a note intended to gather support to help meet Kalani’s tournament expenses.

“Meet Levi Kalani. A top-five classical chess player and the number-one-ranked blitz player for his age group in Mexico. He’s won first place in half a dozen tournaments this year and he’s surging ahead with his team of supporters including his coaches, Women’s International Master Tania Miranda and his grandfather, Virgilio Esquivel, his mentors, including me, Alec Rothman, and of course his passionate chess mom Dejanira Esquivel. After placing 2nd place in the Mexico City FIDE World Cadets Selective, Kalani punched a ticket to the respected FIDE World Cadets Chess Championships in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Kalani needs your help. We have created this GoFundMe to raise money for his airline tickets, hotel, and meal accommodations. All proceeds will go directly to supporting Kalani’s chess in Egypt.  Thank you.”

Donate here: https://gofund.me/2fbedfa9

VIDEO: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvzjLdmsBXT/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==