MADISON, Wis. — A 9-year-old Madison boy has become the youngest American to reach the rank of chess master.
The United States Chess Federation has certified that Awonder Liang has earned more than 2,200 points, or master status, while playing at a weekend tournament in Dayton, Ohio.
Federation rater Walter Brown says the fourth-grader is a week younger than the previous record holder, a California boy who set the mark in 2010.
The Wisconsin State Journal (http://bit.ly/10fnfEy) says points toward master status are earned most quickly by beating better competition. Liang became a chess prodigy when he defeated a grandmaster, the highest rated player in the game, when he was 8.
Brown says Liang is currently the 10th best player overall in Wisconsin.
Source: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com
Congrats!