
With extracurricular options spread around in a circle, kindergartener Sophie Li considered trying yoga, but after seeing the chess club advertised, she changed her mind.
Now a fifth grader, Li earned her Women’s FIDE (International Chess Federation) Master title in December and is now the highest-rated player in Oak Hall School history.
To earn the WFM title, Li won the Girls Under-12 section at the Pan-American Youth Championship XXXIV in July 2024. That victory allowed Li to earn the WFM title if she reached a rating of 1900.
Li said she got within 7 rating points before dropping down. Entering the North American Youth Championships in December, Li said she didn’t know she’d hit the mark.
“I think just try your best, and there’s basically nothing else you can do other than prepare before the tournament and just focusing during the game and giving your all,” Li said.
Li finished silver at the December championships with seven out of nine points (six wins, two draws and one loss). Her only loss was to Jasmine Su, who earned a Women’s International Master title thanks to an 8/9 performance.
The loss came in the first round for Li, but given the rating difference, she said she just plugged along. She broke past 1900 and reached 1965 FIDE.
Li’s rating now places her in the highest or second highest levels at tournaments, facing opponents more than twice her age and with a higher rating.
At the Charlotte Open this past weekend, Li joined a slate of grandmasters, women grandmasters and other titled players in the Open section.
Starting in chess, Li said she was motivated by the love of winning and a desire to earn one of the large trophies that adorn the Eagles’ shelves—not realizing those trophies were for teams.
Now, she’s earned plenty of her own trophies, keeping a select few in her room.
Li said she has a new goal in 2025 to achieve 2100 FIDE rating and earn another title, either Women’s International Master or FIDE Master.
“By the end of fifth grade, I want to get to 2200 USCF (U.S. Chess Federation rating), and I think it’s possible right now because I feel like I’m getting closer and closer every time to beating those higher rated players.”
Li learned at the Oak Hall Chess Club and also took online coaching and training from Britt Ryerson at the Logic Lab in Gainesville. Now, Sophie studies on her own and attends lots of tournaments.
Li said she studies her openings and works on puzzles at home and saves gameplay for tournaments. Tournament travel usually involves a half day on Fridays to drive to Orlando and fly to a weekend tournament before returning Monday or Tuesday for classes.
“When I won, it was like a really good feeling, so that’s what basically kept me going,” Li said about sticking with chess.
She said the WFM title felt special, but now, it’s time to focus on the next goal.