Chess champion at 10
By Helen Anne Travis
Published May 25, 2007
The champion arrives 30 minutes late. He’s sweaty and out of breath from a school skate party. Two dozen elementary school students look up from their chess boards.
Logan McElvenny doesn’t apologize for his late arrival to the weekly chess tournament at Center Place in Brandon. He’s 10 years old. He placed first in the state in the K-5 under 750 rating division at the 2007 Florida Scholastic Chess Championship in Miami in March. He likes the games where he wins trophies. Doing well on this night would only merit him a ribbon.
Shreya Chidarala, an 11-year-old who beat Logan once, plays him first.
Logan uses his signature Ruy Lopez opening. While he waits for Shreya to make her move, Logan talks to the other kids who have gathered around to watch him play. He hums to himself. He loses track of when it’s his turn. He barely glances at the board before moving his piece. He wins twice.
He reminds Shreya that he’s been featured in the newspaper more times than she has.
Around them chess pieces clack on the boards and an occasional shriek of “check” rings out. These children are fearless about striking conversations with adults. They’re smart, inquisitive, white, Asian, Indian, blond, dark-eyed.
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I wish good sportmanship were included in teaching children the game.
Well said, lorasara.
Janet Newton