The Voice of Chess - Juga Di Prima
'Off the Board Tales' is a series by ChessBase India, where the premise revolves around people who are passionate about chess despite it not being their career. An emotional and short story is what you're up for, so read on for tales of joy, tales of aspirations, tales of sorrows, and tales of success. Juga is a singer, songwriter, and Chess Conceptual artist. Juga's first chess song "Oh Capablanca" was warmly received by the community worldwide, and is considered by many as the best chess song ever written. She likes going to concerts, theatre, museums, and most artistic activities.
A Chess Musician - Like No Other
I remember watching my father play chess intensely with his friends when I was 9 years old. I would wonder what kept them so entertained that they needed to struggle with their minds. As I grew, I was captivated by the beauty of the game and its solemnity. I involved myself with many different chess foundations around the world, promoting the game. In 2007, I founded the National Women Chess tournament in my home country Chile.
I also had a budding music taste since I was 4. I had wanted to be a musician since, and my forte became blues and classical rock. I widened my style and studied music composing, which led to me becoming the first woman to ever graduate from that career. I have released 4 records of my songs, and am now working full time on my upcoming chess music album and music videos. I am also working on another project, 'Chess Divas'. It aims to bring awareness and visibility to women chess legends from all over the world, historically too. I want it to honor the effort and courage of the pioneers that are Women Chess Champions.
I've always been a big chess fan and a passionate player, having competed in over 20 international classical tournaments. However, only in the last 4 years have I actively tried to improve my level. I used to develop my passion for chess and music separately, but 3 years ago I found a way to mash them up! I study high-level games, write lyrics, and come up with a melody that complements each other. Chess forces you to be in a constant state of creativity since your strategy must change rapidly, to adapt to the possibilities of your opponent. Like music, chess is an abstract and universal language. I’m convinced chess is a mirror of life and that it can bring us together, no matter the age, gender, origin, or faith. It has been a dream come true to perform and present my art to the legends of chess.
About the Author:
Avathanshu Bhat is a 16-year-old from Mumbai. He is the Editor-in-Chief for ChessBase India Juniors and Manager for ChessBase India's Elite Pass. He recently began a new series called 'Off the Board Tales' on ChessBase India's social media pages. He is a voracious reader, a Nolan film enthusiast, and is passionate about everything tech and games.