At just 17 years old, Egyptian chess player Joy Romany has managed to establish a prominent presence for herself in the world of the game. She achieved a number of accomplishments and championships at both the Arab and African levels, despite the difficulties she faced in her early beginnings, especially with the limited practice of chess and the lack of its tournaments in Upper Egypt.
Joy’s connection to chess began at an early age after watching her parents play. Her father quickly stepped in to teach her the fundamentals, noticing her extraordinary capacity for quick learning and strategy. She swiftly transitioned from learning the basic rules to entering competitive play.
At just seven years old, Joy competed in the Egyptian National Championship, taking first place and qualifying for the African Chess Championship. Though she finished fourth in her debut international appearance, the result became a defining turning point. Driven to improve, she intensified her training and went on to win the African Chess Championship twice.
For Joy, choosing chess had nothing to do with gender. She firmly believes that critical thinking and competitiveness belong equally to everyone, emphasizing that what matters most is an athlete’s performance on the board.
Exploring Creative Outlets Before Finding Her Passion
Before committing fully to chess, Joy explored various creative disciplines, including drawing, music, piano, and theater. She even won first place nationally in drawing on two separate occasions. Ultimately, chess captured her true passion due to its continuous personal challenges and intense competition.
Joy shares that facing strong opponents and learning to overcome defeat were her biggest draws to the game. She views losing as an essential step for any player striving for growth and excellence.
Overcoming Geographical and Travel Challenges
In her early career, Joy faced the major challenge of scarce training facilities and local tournaments in Upper Egypt. To train and compete, she had to make frequent, arduous journeys to Cairo and other cities.
These long travels were demanding for a young child. Rides to Cairo often took around seven hours by train, while trips to Port Said stretched up to ten hours. Being away from home for extended periods occasionally made her consider stepping away from the game.
The Power of Family Support
Family support proved to be the decisive factor in Joy’s continued success. Her father accompanied her on tournament trips and managed her technical training, while her mother, sister, and grandmother provided crucial emotional support during tough setbacks.
Joy emphasizes that success in chess requires far more than technical skill; emotional resilience and managing pressure are equally critical. The unwavering backing of her family helped her navigate moments of frustration and press forward.
Today, Joy Romany continues her chess journey, carrying a legacy that began in Upper Egypt. Having overcome limited resources, taxing travel schedules, and mental challenges, she stands as a competitive force across the Arab world and Africa—proving that passion, determination, and family support can turn raw talent into a brilliant athletic career.
