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June 12, 2010

Utah has only two active chess masters, and they finally met over the board this weekend. Harold Stevens of Moab, a newcomer to the scene of nationally-rated tournaments, started at the #1 position in Utah for 2010 after a winter streak of 30 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw against seasoned chess tournament veterans. Utah's other chess master, Kayden Troff of West Jordan, who just turned twelve this month, traveled to Moab with his father for a first meeting with Stevens.

The match games were close and tense, with opportunities for both players to force or accept draws, but both fought on until the very end of each game. Troff made it clear as to why he is the top rated player in his age group nationwide, and why he has been tapped to represent the USA in the World Youth Championships in Greece later this year. He won the match decisively. Although Stevens will remain in the #1 spot in Utah, the gap between them narrowed considerably. Both players enjoyed the high level of ideas in their games, then analyzed the moves on a giant chess set at a local RV park and afterwards went out for pizza.