Polska, Poland -- what's in a name?

I had a phone call during the week to ask if a 13 year old Polish visitor could play in the WSCP lightning tournament.

"Sure," I said. "Can he play five minute chess?"

"He can play two minute chess!" So he came.

That's him on the right wearing a hat labelled Poland and looking innocent.

I didn't realise who he was when I arrived, in spite of the phone call. He was just a little kid setting up the tables and pieces.

His name is Dariusz (call him Darek) Swiercz and I was fascinated to watch the ease of the demolition job he did on some of the top players -- including a number of 2000+ rated visitors. His only loss was to Jason Hu.

It's not surprising if you know his background. He's the top player in Poland for his age group, finished level with Raymond Song in the U12 World Youth Championship last year (just two points behind the winner), has a FIDE rating of 2235, and has already earned his FM title.

He's friendly, modest, polite -- and a killer chess player.

Nice to have enjoyed your visit, Darek. Hope you do well in the City of Sydney next week.