The Journey of a Young Club Champion

Every chess champion starts as a beginner—full of curiosity, nerves, and wonder at the 64-square battlefield. For 13-year-old Ethan Rivera, that journey began just two years ago when he nervously walked through the doors of our club, clutching a small plastic chess set and asking, “Can I play here?”

Today, he’s the reigning Junior Champion of the club—and one of the fiercest competitors in our tournaments. But the road from beginner to champion wasn’t always smooth. Here's Ethan’s story of persistence, passion, and progress.

Humble Beginnings

Ethan’s first games were filled with excitement—and mistakes. “I lost most of them,” he laughs. “I didn’t even know how en passant worked.” But what stood out was his willingness to learn. After each loss, he’d ask coaches to explain what went wrong. He kept a notebook, jotting down tips, tactics, and new openings.

His parents, both non-players, supported him from the sidelines. “He just wouldn’t stop playing,” his mother recalls. “He brought the board everywhere—restaurants, vacations, even the dentist’s office!”

From Learner to Competitor

Once Ethan joined the Chess Foundation class, his progress accelerated. He showed up early, asked questions others were afraid to ask, and eagerly challenged stronger players.

Coach Rachel Stone remembers: “He’d get crushed by older students, but he never got discouraged. He’d come back the next week even more determined.”

Soon, Ethan was studying outside of class, practicing tactics online, and entering local tournaments. His first trophy came from a surprise second-place finish at a regional junior blitz event.

“That’s when I realized,” he said, “I didn’t just like chess—I wanted to be great at it.”

The Championship Moment

At this year’s Junior Club Championship, Ethan entered as an underdog. Facing more experienced players, he relied on his preparation, calm under pressure, and tactical sharpness. After six rounds of classical games—including a dramatic comeback win in Round 4—he clinched the title with a perfect endgame in the final match.

Final Thoughts

Ethan’s journey reminds us that anyone—with curiosity, resilience, and community—can achieve something remarkable. He’s not just our champion; he’s an inspiration to every young player who’s just beginning their own chess story.