Jarod Pamatmat of Tyler

Tyler Student Bronze Medalist In World Chess Competition

MASTER OF MOVES: Jordan Pamatmat 11 of Tyler, helped Team USA bring home a bronze medal victory in the 2008 World Youth Chess Championship held in Vietnam last October.

By KELLY PREW
Staff Editor

Jarod Pamatmat, of Tyler, is world traveler and a world champion.

In his second year of world competition, the 11-year-old All Saints student brought home the bronze medal in October as part of Team USA in the 2008 World Youth Chess Championship held in Vietnam.

Jarod competes through the U.S. Chess Federation and travels the country and the globe honing his game skills in tournaments.

“I learned to play at 4,” the smiling pre-teen said from his family’s home office, surrounded by trophies from previous competitions. “I actually started playing at 5, though. It takes time to learn. You have to be very patient.”

Competing in a pool of about 100 competitors, Jarod played 11 rounds in the 12 year old and younger group. His longest match this year ran six hours against a player from India.

To qualify, Jarod had to first compete in state and national championships. Taking first place in the national tournament vaulted him to the world games for the second year in a row.

Jarod said no matter where the games are played (last year in Turkey) the mind set is the same. His travels to Greece, Argentina and nearly every state in the continental United States has connected him to likeminded chess players he keeps in touch with throughout the year.

“My favorite part of competition is meeting new people,” he said. “We actually get to see each other a lot.”

Team USA is made up of chess players from Virginia, California and Arizona, among others.

The difficult relationships come up during world events.

“The language is usually a big problem,” he laughs. “But, actually, most of the people I play against speak English.”

Jarod is the oldest son of Drs. Marinel (Munda) and Stephen Pamatmat, who are willing to do just about anything to foster his love of the game, including driving to and from Dallas nearly every weekend for practice and competition.

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