New Livingston Resident is a Chess Champion

Thu
30
Jun
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New Livingston Resident is a Chess Champion

New Livingston Resident is a Chess Champion

Aston Roberts, a ninth grade student who recently moved to Livingston from New York City, was featured on the United States Chess Federation (USCF) top one hundred list for his age group.“We were overjoyed,” Bridgette Roberts, Aston’s mother, said. “For us this was a significant achievement and accomplishment after all the hard work. Just seeing his name on the list made us really proud of him. Aston was very excited to be included amongst the top chess players in the country. He wears it as a badge of honor.”Aston’s dad, Adrian, began teaching him how to play chess when he was five years old. The Roberts’ view chess as a family activity.“We are indeed a chess family – meaning we love the game of chess and supporting our children in their pursuits of mastering the game,” Bridgette said. “Chess creates a bond for us as we have been able to incorporate and apply chess ‘thinking’ into our everyday lives. As a family we all actively participate in chess tournaments.”During kindergarten, Aston continued learning more about the game in an after school program. In first grade, Aston joined the Success Academy chess team in New York City. Bridgette spoke about what challenges Aston faced.“The piece that gave him the most challenge was the knight, which he eventually went on to master,” Bridgette said.Aston also received the Top Chess Award at his Success Academy graduation, placed third at Grade National Chess Tournament 2019, drew to a chess grandmaster and recently began teaching chess to beginner students.Bridgette has some advice for beginners.“First, don’t be intimidated,” Bridgette said. “There are many who view chess as being very complicated and that you must be able to think ten moves ahead. Just be patient, it’s one move at a time.”She also recommended YouTube videos and websites like ChessKid.com, Chess. com and Lichess.com.Aston plans to continue competing in chess and has high hopes for the future.“Aston would like to play in the World Open Chess Tournament next year,” Bridgette said. “He is diligently studying and mastering the skills needed to become an expert in chess, followed by becoming an international master and then a grand master.”Aston is also advocating for a formal chess program within the Livingston school district. His chess club recently presented before the Livingston Board of Education.

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