A King in Hiding How a Child Refugee Became a World Chess Champion

by Fahim, Fahim; Le Callennec, Sophie; Parmentier, Xavier; Mellor, Barbara

• ISBN13: 9781848318281
• ISBN10: 1848318286
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-03-05
• Publisher: Icon Books

Summary

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2015 






Forced to flee his native Bangladesh, eight year-old chess prodigy Fahim arrived in Paris with his father. Refused asylum, as illegal immigrants they spiralled downwards into homelessness and desperation.
 







By a stroke of luck, Fahim was introduced to one of France's top chess coaches, Xavier Parmentier, who tutored him and gave him a sense of purpose, his struggles on the chessboard mirroring both his victories and his crushing defeats in his battle for a normal life. 







Rising through local and national tournaments to be crowned France's Under-12 Chess Champion in 2012, Fahim became a national sensation. In 2013 he went on to win the World Under-13 Student Championship. 








Told through the clear eyes of a child, Fahim's tale is not only a moving account of the grim realities that underlie a supposedly caring society, but also a heartwarming testimony to a father's determination, the kindness of strangers, and one small boy's courageous will to succeed.

Author Biography

Fahim Mohammad: Fahim Mohammad was born in Bangladesh. Aged 8, he had to run away with his father to escape a threat of abduction. While struggling to make a life for themselves as illegal immigrants in France, Fahim, already a keen chess player, was spotted by Xavier Permantier who trained him for competion.
Sophie Le Callennec: SOPHIE LE CALLENNEC is an expert in East African geography and has written numerous school textbooks.