Knight Knows Her Knights, Kings, and Queens: Altamont Student Makes Alabama Chess History
A.J. Gallitz
Thursday, February 22, 2024Altamont's Sarah Peter, left, holds the first place trophy (for the second time) after winning this year's K-12 All-Girls State Chess Championship. Next to her are are Nirvana Rajbhandari (second place), Nora Farris (third), and Kylie Zou (fourth). Photo by Ranae Bartlett, US Chess Operations Director.
Earlier this month, Sarah Peter became the first person ever to win the All-Girl’s State Chess Championship two years in a row.
Sarah has been playing chess for around eight years, since she was six. She became interested in chess because her dad encouraged her to start playing. Growing up, she and her father played regularly. She says she “used to cry a lot” when playing her dad, but now she can beat him.
Sarah says she likes the different strategies and ways you can get to checkmate in a chess match. “There’s a lot to anticipate,” she says.
Outside of chess and school, Sarah likes to play the piano and flute, and she's looking forward to representing the state of Alabama in the 12th annual Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Chess Champions for the second time in Virginia in July.
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