April 25, 2009
Sandy, UT
Ten-year-old Kayden Troff of West Jordan, Utah, just
keeps rolling over the best chess players in the state. Following up
on a 3-0 sweep in last months "Utah Expert Series" tournament, this
weekend he defeated 5-time Utah State Champion, Randy Zumbrunnen, and
Utah's highest-rated active chess player, Steve Gordon(1), to win the
elite tournament for the second time in a row.
Saturday's victories pushed young Troff's official rating,
according to the US Chess Federation, over the magical 2000 mark to
2013.(2) That achievement distinguishes Troff as Utah's newest
"Expert" or "Candidate Master" level player, a distinction he shares
with only eight other active chess players in the state, including
Zumbrunnen and Gordon.(3)
However, this milestone is far more significant than simply
surpassing the 2000 rating mark. With these victories, young Troff
has risen to the #1 rated player for his age group in the entire United
States! He should be at the top of the list for the next USCF rating
supplements of all ten-year-olds.(4) Moreover, his stellar
quick-chess rating of 2152 will put him at the top of the list for all
chess players under the age of 13.(5)
Troff is maintaining a pace comparable to that set by the legendary Bobby Fischer, whom many people consider to be the best chess player of all time, and who became world champion in 1972. How did this young "Mozart of Chess"
prepare for this weekend's tournament? By studying chess six to seven
hours a day for many years, and then by going fishing with his dad, Dan
Troff, the day before the event. The attached photos show he's got a
talent for that sport too!
Note 6: (see attached photos)
