​’A really big deal’: ​Sask. chess player is two steps away from becoming a grandmaster

A young Saskatoon chess player is just two steps away from becoming a grandmaster.

Omid Khaledi, 19, recently reached the rank of FIDE master with the International Chess Federation, or FIDE. The only two ranks above that are international master and grandmaster.

Khaledi has been steadily moving up the rankings by defeating stronger players at tournaments in places such as Las Vegas, Nev., and Iceland.

“It’s a really big deal,” said Saskatchewan Horizon Chess Academy instructor Ryan Meneses. “As far as I know, we don’t have any FIDE masters in Saskatoon as of yet.”

To become a FIDE master, a player needs to have a rating of 2,300.

Khaledi was born in Saskatchewan but spent much of his youth in Iran, where his mother introduced him to chess at the age of six.

“The pieces were kind of like soldiers,” Khaledi said. “The king is kind of like the warrior of the game. And, you know, it was so exciting.”

His mother took him to a chess academy, where he played one of the more experienced coaches.

“We played a game and he was like, really surprised,” Khaledi said. “He’s like, ‘Who is this kid? He has a lot of potential.’ And that’s how I got into real chess tournaments.”

Khaledi returned to Saskatoon about a year and a half ago and has wowed those in Saskatchewan chess circles.

“It came as a shock that a player came out that was this strong,” said Meneses, who has had the chance to play Khaledi in a few tournaments.

“I haven’t survived the opening against him,” he said. “Some people have come close, but it’s always ended in a draw for anyone that’s come close.

“He has not lost a game since he’s been here.”

For chess players’ ratings to go up, they must play in tournaments against higher ranked opponents.

“And you’ve got to win against them,” Khaledi said.

“And based on the difference between your rating and your opponent’s rating, when you win a game, you gain a certain amount of rating.”

He said it was exciting when he finally reached the magical 2,300 mark.

“That’s a very nice milestone,” Khaledi said. “I wasn’t surprised. I had it in my mind to become a FIDE [master].… I’m proud.”

Khaledi is also having an impact on the local chess scene.

“With Omid’s presence, like just his rating alone, it can help, you know, lift the [ratings] of players in Saskatchewan,” said Julius Villamar, organizing director of Bridge City Chess Club.

“We have a lot of young minds that are learning and that we’re teaching and they look up to the stronger players,” added Meneses. “Omid being here is an example of just how good they can get, and I hope that they take inspiration from that.”

Khaledi, who is ranked 34th in Canada, said he’s now aiming for a rating of 2,350.

To become a grandmaster, he will need a rating of 2,500 or higher.

“It’s not a long-term vision,” he said. “It’s just my next step.”