Whiz Kid: The Chess Player

The sport of chess is in a league of its own with regard to strategy. But one Walnut Creek resident, 7-year-old and soon-to-be second-grader Ben Rood, has essentially mastered the seemingly difficult game of chess.

In the spring, Ben won the National Elementary Chess Championship for his age group, Kindergarten-1st Grade, at a tournament in Dallas. To win the title, Ben had to face the nation’s elite chess players.

Ben stood above the pool of 294 contestants with the tournament trophy.

His love for chess started when he was three. He decided that 300-piece jigsaw puzzles weren’t enough of a challenge. His mom introduced him to chess.

“My mom taught me how to play, it’s a really fun game, and you can get nice prizes if you do well,” said Ben.

In addition to learning from his mother, Ben takes classes with the Berkeley Chess School and private lessons with his coach, Chris Torres, about once per week.

Like many other 7-year-olds, all that Ben was thinking about during the final minutes of the championship was the trophy.

“I was thinking that we were both undefeated, in the final round — who would win on the tie break?” said Ben. “How big would the trophy be, the prizes, what color the trophy would be.”

When you play chess at Ben’s level, you often win. Most of the time, Ben challenges “grown-ups” — and wins. He also enjoys challenging the best players via online chess websites. He explained that this helps him to keep up his skills.

National rankings are critical in individual sports. Chess is no different. Ben is impressively ranked no. 2 in the nation for the U8 divison. He is currently behind another young chess player who also lives in the Bay Area.

Ben has lofty goals for the future. This November, Ben and his parents will travel to Caldas Novas, Brazil, to represent the USA in his first international Chess Tournament.

Ben’s mother, Robin Hultgren, explained what this tournament means to Ben.

“Ben is well known in elementary chess in the country now,” said Hultgren. “If he medals in Brazil, his first international competition, that would be a huge step for him.”

His big picture goals include excelling in the world championships or participating in a tournament against the best Russian chess players. He explained that they are generally accepted as the best players in the international community.

Chess isn’t everything for the student at the Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette. He enjoys running through the sprinklers on hot summer days and playing soccer. This coming school year, Ben is going to join a local club with the hopes of becoming a well-rounded soccer player. Chances are, if he puts the same type of hard work into soccer, he will get very far. Just like in chess.

Keep an eye out for Ben. You never know what his next move will be.