6 year old Canadian Champ

Chess champ adds to crowded trophy case
Six-year-old chess champion Luke Pulfer finished third at Canadian Chess Championships

Published: May 31, 2010 3:00 PM
Updated: May 31, 2010 3:31 PM

The mantel in South Surrey student Luke Pulfer’s living room just got a little more crowded.

Last week, after battling chess enthusiasts from across the country, the six-year-old came home from the 22nd Canadian Chess Challenge with a third-place trophy.

He promptly propped the cup in the centre of the already impressive collection of hardware he’s amassed since taking up competitive play a year ago: a solid dozen trophies, and counting.

“He put it in the middle,” Luke’s dad, Robert (Beau) Pulfer, said.

Pulfer said Luke was “ecstatic” with his performance. He was outdone at the Grade 1 level by competitors from Quebec and Ontario.

Ten teams of 12 students (one from each grade) attended the tournament, which was held in Montreal over the Victoria Day long weekend.

Luke was invited to compete after claiming top spot in the Grade 1 category of the 2010 B.C. Chess Championships, which were held in April.

That same month, the South Meridian Elementary student placed second in the U8 category of the B.C. Youth Chess Championships, after defeating a Grade 2 contender whose rating going into the game topped Luke’s by 309 points.

Here is the full article.