Quail Summit student Jonathan Chen beat first grade challengers from different states and won the title at the National K-12 Championship in Orlando.
By Walnut Valley Unified
A six-year-old from Quail Summit Elementary has garnered the title of national champion. Jonathan Chen, a first grade student, represented his school during the National K-12 Championship held in Orlando, Florida.
Chen won the first-grade division with a perfect 7-0 score.The contest was held December 12-14.
Players with the same scores were paired against each other during seven rounds of competition. Each grueling round could last more than three hours.
“I am very happy and very proud of the biggest trophy and national champion title for my school!” Chen exclaimed.
Chen hopes to start a chess club so that next year he can bring a team trophy back to the school! The youngster from Diamond Bar has been playing chess for about two years.
His father introduced the game to him at age 4. He’s had a coach since he was in kindergarten and earned the youngest champion award in the 2013 American Open.
Last June, he won the 3rd Place trophy in the International Youth Championship, under 14-year-old division, held in Las Vegas.
A classmate asked Chen how he won all the games.
“I think it’s because I have more patience and more focus,” Chen replied.
