Eight year old boy wins £1,000 in chess tournament (From Your Local Guardian)

Eight year old boy wins £1,000 in chess tournament

3:12pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

An eight-year-old boy has won £1,000 after beating opponents twice his age in a chess tournament.

Alex Golding, a student at Downsend School, Leatherhead, played opponents whose average age was 15 during the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge terafinal.

The chess sensation was named the top under 11's player during the tournament after winning four out of six rounds.

Alex, who lives in Ashtead, beat off players who were graded way above him and was the youngest highest scoring player.

About 60,000 children had taken part in the UK Chess Challenge tournament with only the most talented getting through to the terafinal. 

He first began playing the game just over two years ago and has played in a number of tournaments, as well as for the Ashtead Junior Chess Club.

His proud mother, Christine Golding, 44, a business analyst said: "Since he has been playing he has been getting stronger and stronger.

"He is committed to his chess. He had done quite well in the British Chess Championship, but this was his best ever tournament."

Alex became interested in the game after his older brother James, aged 10, started playing.

The pair now regularly compete against each other, with Alex putting in training of about four hours every day.

He receives tutoring from woman grandmaster champion Susan Lalic, of Sutton, who has said she is impressed by his skills.

His mother said he is saving his winnings so he can buy a car when he is older, help pay for university, or travel to chess tournaments abroad.

His ambition is to be the world's number one player in the future.

Jonah Willow was given the award for the highest placed under nine player, as a rule meant Alex could not claim both prizes.