At just seven years old, Sophia Kaliskami has already reached the top of European school chess, securing first place at the European School Chess Championship and marking an extraordinary achievement at an age when most children are only beginning their school journey.

In an interview with ANT1 TV, Sophia recalled how her connection with chess began almost by chance. She said her first encounter came when she saw a chessboard without understanding what it was. Her mother soon introduced her to the game when she was around two years old, and from that moment, her interest steadily grew. Today, she says her favorite piece is the queen.

Despite her young age, Sophia follows a demanding routine, training two to three hours every day while balancing her studies with the discipline required of competitive chess.

Her mother emphasized the broader educational value of the game, noting that one of its most important lessons lies not in winning, but in learning how to cope with defeat and build emotional resilience from an early age.

Her coach, Pantelis Lykouriotis, also recalled first noticing her talent during a tournament in Nafplio. He described her as unusually composed and focused for her age, highlighting her maturity, politeness, and natural aptitude for the game. Even then, at just five years old, she had already claimed victory in competition—an early sign of the success that would follow.