LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. (KABC) -- A La Cañada Flintridge teen who's played chess for more than a decade is headed to the women's national championship with hopes of winning top honors.
Annie Wang, 16, is a nationally ranked chess player, coming in 7th or 8th within the women's rankings and around 10th for her age group.
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"I just want to do well. Last year I came really close to winning but then I failed to do so. This year, I'm looking to improve on that," she told ABC7.
She tied for the title last year but lost the national championship and a $25,000 payday in a playoff.
For Wang, a high school junior, the real win is how chess has taken her all over the world, with visits to Greece, Russia, Slovenia, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Dubai under her belt.
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The sport has also brought her a side job as a chess teacher.
"Normally I teach pretty young kids from 6 or 7 to 13. It's nice to spread the love -- I like chess, might as well teach someone while I'm at it."