Chess co-champs share similarities

Kevin Cao

Nine-year-olds Kevin Cao and William Tong recently were named co-champions in the 5th grade and under division of the Missouri State championships. Their lives also have other similarities.

Kevin is a 3rd grader at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School in Chesterfield. William is a 3rd grader in Pierremont Elementary School in Ballwin. They live only a few miles apart in west St. Louis County and both schools are in the Parkway School District.

William Tong

William started playing chess when he was 4 years old. Kevin started when he was in kindergarten. Both of them started competing in national tournaments soon after.

The two now usually play in area adult chess tournaments. William said, "There aren't too many challenges in my age group."

The parents of both kids are from China. However, they were both born in this country.

The two boys were named co-champions in the state meet after both won their six matches. The two didn't play each other in the state meet.

For Kevin, this was his second state title. For William, it was his first.

Henry Cao

The Cao family also had another state winner. Kevin's brother, 13-year-old Henry, was co-champion in the 8th grade and under division. Another co-champion in that division was Brad Schlosser of Parkway Central Middle School in Chesterfield.

Henry is a three-time state champion.

In state team competition, Ladue Middle School won the 8th and under division. Chesterfield Day Elementary School won the 6th and under division championship.

(For other scores and chess information, visit www.gatewaychess.org.)

Another similarity between William and Kevin is their interest in other sports. And they like to compete at a high level there also.

Kevin competes in basketball and soccer. He's on a select soccer team, the Iron Kids.

William already has won two trophies in U.S. Tennis Association tournaments.

William is in an accelerated program at Pierremont Elementary. One of their current subjects is ancient Egypt. He's also attending Chinese School, where is studies language-both spoken and written-and martial arts.

When Kevin was asked about his favorite subjects in school, he said, "I like them all."

When asked who was the better player, William said, "Kevin is better."

Asked why, William said, "He uses tactics that I don't know. I play too fast."

He's taking chess lessons from Joseph Garnier. One of the things they are working on is taking more time between moves. William said that by playing slower, he'll take more time to consider alternative moves.

William said he's also reading more books on chess strategy.

Kevin isn't taking chess lessons now. He said he learns by playing on various chess websites. Those offer him chances to compete against players from around the world.

In the latest national rankings by the U.S. Chess Foundation, Kevin is ranked 12th among all nine-year-olds in the country. His April, 2006, rating number was 1,592. The rating number helps determine the skill level of competitors.

Both William and Kevin have competed in national chess tournaments.

William began entering national meets when he was in kindergarten. In first grade, he finished 12th. In second grade, he finished 11th in the super-nationals.

He's even starting to win money prizes in regional tournaments. "I've won over 100 bucks in tournaments so far," he said.

Asked about playing his dad in chess, William said, "I usually forfeit one of my rooks at the start of the match. It wouldn't be fair otherwise."

Kevin said his mother got him started on chess.

Now, the living room of the family home is filled with trophies won by both Kevin and Henry. Kevin started in national tournaments as a kindergartener also.

Asked about chess competition in the Cao family, the brothers disagree who is better. However, Kevin's national rating number is higher than Henry's.