Roman

So.... On Sundays I go to my mentor's Chess Club/School. He teaches many kids how to play and improve, and he also holds some mini-chess tournaments, groups of 4 people of around equal ability play in a round robin format. Some very, very good players have played in these tournaments: there is a CWRU student who is considered a chess "Expert", which is one step down from master, two players have received full ride scholarships for their chess-playing (Yes, that's right). One, named Trey, has become 12th grade State Champion 3 times and has led Shaker Heights team to first place 3 of the last 4 years (Hawken barely edged them this year), and several younger players who are ranked nationally in their perspective age groups. It was at first kind of humiliating to lose to a 5th grader, but then I consoled myself by the fact that he was the best 5th grader in the state, and that Stephen lost to the same kid 2 years ago, when he was in third grade.