Score one for Idaho!
Idaho made national history this weekend for producing the youngest winner ever of any state to take 1st place in any official State Chess Championships!
A Boise, ID boy, Luke Harmon-Vellotti, age 9 (who has previously been featured in numerous television and newspaper articles) has become the youngest player to win the Idaho State Scholastic Chess Championship title.
The third-grader competed this past weekend in Boise as the youngest player ever to enter the High School section of the 2008 Idaho State Scholastic Championship, and took 1st Place Overall with a perfect 5-0 score for the tournament. The winner of this tournament, held once per year, is crowned the official State Scholastic Champion for the upcoming year. Luke entered the competition already as a 3-time National Champion in his age group, but choose to forfeit his option of a grade prize to take a shot at the Championship title.
Over 350 students competed in this state-wide event to earn the title of 2008 State Champion. All of Luke’s opponents were 10th graders and above. Luke (rated USCF 1815) is well on his way to becoming the youngest Chess Master in Idaho history!- an official world-wide title used to designate chess achievement.
Congratulations Luke!
YAHOO LUKE!
We have the priviledge of knowing this young man and his family. It couldn’t happen to a nicer group of people. Luke, everyone is so proud of you!
The Almeida Family