June 23, 2022

More than 30 moves.

That’s how many it took for Sagar Srivastava, Vice-President of Seneca Chess Club, to lose the greatest chess game of his life against Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov.

“I still can’t believe it,” said Mr. Srivastava, one of 11 participants who played Mr. Kasparov in a simultaneous chess exhibition as part of the Collision technology conference in Toronto this week. “It was an amazing experience. I was the first one to play him and he beat everyone in the end. But I did my best and I was one of the last ones standing.”

Mr. Srivastava graduated from the Financial Planning graduate certificate program this spring. He is returning in the fall for the Financial Services Compliance Administration graduate certificate program.

The international student from India has been playing chess since he received his first chessboard as a child. He joined the Seneca Chess Club last year as a way to relax and keep up with his hobby.

“I feel like I’m good at chess,” he said. “But facing a former world champion, you never know what will happen. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I wanted to experience how a grandmaster plays.”

To prepare for his match against the grandmaster, Mr. Srivastava read up on Mr. Kasparov and watched his games online.

“I was sure he’d destroy everyone in five moves, but I thought I should give him a good match in any case,” he said. “I took all of his bishops, knights and pawns, and he took all of mine. I was nervous but calm, trying to think of his next moves. I enjoyed the experience very much.”

Collision conference continues today with two Seneca initiatives being showcased at the York Region “#YRTech” Pavilion Stage. President David Agnew is discussing the partnership with Kingbridge Centre to support environmental innovation and entrepreneurship in York Region. Marianne Marando, Vice-President, Academic & Students, and Chris Dudley, Director, Entrepreneurship, are presenting the Career HERizons program, which will help women prepare new careers.