Penngrove 8-year-old earns top honor in county tourney
By Heidi Bailey June 9, 2010 09:59 pm
When most think of chess, the image of two old men sitting at a lone table with a stop clock comes to mind. Most would never think it could be a favorite game for children. But for one child in Penngrove, it’s his number one favorite. “It takes a lot of focus and patience,” said eight-year old Adam Kane.
Adam is going into the second grade at Penngrove Elementary in July (Penngrove is a year-round school) and plans on signing up once again for the chess club.
He first started playing chess through the Chess for Kids club last August and immediately took to the game. The club meets once a week in six-week sessions with instructor Alaric Stein and Adam hasn’t missed a session since, playing in several tournaments in the North Bay as well as a tournament in Berkeley.
But he’s not a novice anymore. He’s placed third and fourth in tournaments and recently, took first place for his age group at the Sonoma County Chess for Kids tournament at Strawberry School in Santa Rosa where more than 100 kids showed up to compete. Ranging in ages from eight to 12, groups were divided by ages and skill levels and competed in groups of four.
“The look on his face when he won was just amazing,” said Adam’s mom, Connie. “I wish I could bottle it.” Like most moms would be, Connie is extremely proud of her son. “I was thrilled he loves the game and win or lose, it’s more about him just playing the game that he enjoys the most.”