Gilbert kindergartener gains notice in chess world
Gilbert Republic
Jan. 16, 2008 12:17 PM
A Gilbert kindergartner is making a name for himself in national chess circles.
Zac Smith, 5, won the kindergarten title in the Southern Arizona Chess Association state championship this past week. The week before, he placed fifth in a national age-group tournament.
Zac started playing chess on his fourth birthday, his father, Jeff, reports. He plays with other kids in clubs and tournaments in Gilbert and around the Valley.
Gilbert is a stronghold for youth chess.
Zac’s coach is Danny Schucker, a Gilbert High senior who plays competitively.
The Gilbert High ninth-grade team recently won the national championship in Houston, beating a New York team dubbed the “Yankees of Chess,” according to Jeff Smith.
Source: AZ Central
Tanner has done a good job with these kids.