National chess champion Olivier-Kenta Chiku-Ratte says if you want to win at chess, you have to be aggressive.
"If I play against weak (players) I don't learn anything, but if I play against stronger (ones), I learn something," he said.
At 12 years old, Olivier is pretty strong. He's the top chess player for his age in Canada, and he's no pushover, said his father, Benoit Ratte.
"Now with his help maybe I can make a draw. Otherwise I'm beaten off for the past two years. He passed my level a long time ago," said the proud dad.
The national champ represented Canada at the World Youth Chess Championships in Brazil last month after coaching from Lefong Hua at the Montreal Chess Club.
Lefong said Olivier is a rare breed.
"I've been teaching for almost 10 years now. And it's the first time I have such a talented student. He's unique," he said, adding that the boy is a tough competitor.
"In every lesson we have, it's a challenge for me to still make him improve -- even though he is almost beating me now."
The competitive and dedicated Olivier said he gets a rush taking down his opponents.
"I feel great! I feel powerful," he said.
