Star Chess4Life Chess Students
Henry Whitlock
Henry at age 7 is rated a 950. He is quite the talented young man and has recently written a chess song. To see it click here.
Below is an interview from Chess4Life:Besides chess what are your favorite hobbies/sports?
I like art, swimming and diving, bike riding and triathlons, fencing (sword fighting) and building with legos. I love books; Lord of the Rings and Eragon were my favorites to listen to. Right now I am listening to Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix. I just finished reading the series the Secrets of Droon on my own.
When did you start playing chess?
I asked to learn to play chess after reading the first Harry Potter book-it has a part about chess in it-I was 5 and 1/2.
What were your best results in tournaments?
I won four out of five at most tournaments last year. I think my best 4 of 5 was at a 1-3rd grade tournament; I took 8th place overall.
What is your favorite memory in chess?
Sitting at table one and getting a draw against someone rated 400 points higher than me.
What is your favorite chess piece?
Queen because of the power, knights because a lot of players don't see them coming.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
That is a hard one. I think an actor.
Who is your favorite chess player?
I like David Bragg and Elliott Neff because they play well and teach well too.
What is your favorite chess opening? (eg. Ruy Lopez)
I don't have one yet.
What kind of pets do you have?
I have two big dogs, Cosmos and Loka.
What brought you to the chess rating you currently have?
I think never giving up when I am behind. I have never resigned a tournament game. And I have often come back in an end game when I am down material. If I play against someone who has memorized openings and I get to an end game, I play as well or better. I am good at clocks and under time pressure.
What are your future goals for chess?
To keep playing this year and help my school win team trophies. To see if I can increase my rating and go to State again.
What do you like best about playing chess?
Playing as a team with my school at tournaments, and coming from behind in a game and finding a forced checkmate before I am checkmated--that is the best feeling in chess.