Making all the right moves

Young chess player making all the right moves

11-year-old in top 50 in U.S. for age group
By Meredith Wade
UNION-TRIBUNE
November 24, 2006

CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH – Cindi Guy bought a chess game to play with her son Caleb when he was 4. Almost immediately she knew she was no match for his talents.

“He surpassed me, that’s for sure. He was a natural,” she said.

Now 11, Caleb is climbing the national chess rankings. He is rated first in San Diego County, third in California and 45th in the nation for his age group by the United States Chess Federation.

The sixth-grader at Heritage Christian School in San Diego also plays baseball and golf, but excelling at chess is what he wants to pursue.

“One day I want to be the greatest player in the world. But the first step is to get into the top 30 in the country,” Caleb said. “I am taking it one step at a time until I get there.”

He has memorized each of the 64 squares on a chess board. He navigates his 16 pieces as if a victory could mean the difference between life and death.

The full article can be read here.