Kayden Troff: Child Chess Prodigy
He’s played chess with a number of Grandmasters – and even beat an international master.
He’s the 2009 Utah State G60 Chess Champion.
He’s the 2009 Utah State Blitz Chess Champion.
He hosts a chess camp for talented scholastic chess players.
He’s only 10 years old.
He’s Kayden Troff – and here’s a one-on-one interview with the child chess prodigy:
What’s your favorite chess experience/memory of playing chess?
I have four favorite chess memories. The first one was winning the state elementary championship for the fourth time. I was excited to keep my streak alive. I am the only one from the state of Utah to have done that. My second favorite memory was taking 2nd place in Nationals. At first I was really nervous about being at Nationals. There are so many kids there. By the end of the tournament I had 5 wins and 2 draws giving me 6 points total. I was tied with the boy who went into the tournament rated second and my friend told me that they didn’t think there was any way that I would win in tie breaks so when I did, I was so excited!! Third, was winning the Utah State Speed Chess. This is a mostly adult tournament and no kid has ever won it before. At the Utah Open Championship I was playing in the final championship game, but I lost. So, when I went to this Championship, I really wanted to win, but I knew that there were a lot of really good Blitz players including a Master level player. When I realized that I had the championship no matter what, I was very excited. My final favorite memory happened last Saturday. I played in the Utah G60 championship. After 4 wins, I knew that all I needed was a draw to guarantee the championship. I ended up having to play my good friend, Scott Treiman, for the championship. After 15 moves we agreed on a draw to guarantee 1st for me and at least a tie for 2nd for Scott. I especially liked the $120.00 I won!!!!
What do you enjoy the most about playing chess?
I love the challenge of chess! Chess is like a puzzle and I love puzzles. But the great thing about chess is that the puzzle is always changing. It is always a different game and always a different challenge. I also enjoy all the different experiences and places I get to go to because of chess.
Has chess helped you in your other pursuits and academic studies?
YES!!!! Chess teaches about how to solve problems. This helps me a lot in math. It also teaches me how to study and work hard at something, which definitely helps in school.
What has chess taught you about growing up as a kid and life in general?
Chess has taught me that hard work is very important if you want good results. Even with something that I love, it is not always easy. Good things in life are not always easy. The things that really mean the most always take hard work. You have to decide how much it means to you. I have also learned that sometimes people are not very nice. Sometimes they say things that hurt your feelings, but you still have to do what you think is right.
You’ve played chess with a number of Grandmasters – what was that like? What are a few of the great lessons you learned from them?
Playing a grandmaster is like meeting up with one of your favorite sports stars. It is fun just to have the chance to play them even if you loose. Igor Ivanov taught me that the Russians believe that you can’t be a grand master until you can play an entire board blindfolded. One time he played me blindfolded and I was really excited because I thought I could beat him since he was blindfolded, but he still beat me! He also told me once that once you hit a rating of 1700, that is when the real work begins. I didn’t really believe him because it seemed like a lot of work to get to 1700, but when I got there, I figured out what he meant and knew that it was true. Grandmaster Kaidanov helped me a lot on my openings and taught me how important they were. He also taught me how to teach myself using Chessbase software like Fritz and Deep Rybka 3. This has been one of the most important lessons for me as I have worked to get to a 2000 rating. He also told me to always keep chess fun!
What advice do you have for other kids learning and playing chess?
1-PRACTICE!! Just like anything else, to get really good you have to practice.
2-STUDY!! Knowing the basics of chess is only the first. If you really want to be good at chess, you have to study and find someone who can teach you. Or, come to our chess camp!
3-EXPERIENCE!! No matter how much chess knowledge you have, it can not replace real experience over the board. You have to go to chess tournaments.
4-PLAY BOTH SIDES OF THE BOARD! It is not enough to just focus on what you are doing. You have to figure out what your opponent is going to do and always ask what their threat is.
5-TO REALLY GET GOOD AT CHESS, YOU HAVE TO REALLY LIKE IT! Chess takes work and study and is not something you are going to put the time into unless you really like it.
If I’m not a chess player, but I want to start learning – what would you recommend I do?
You have to find someone who can teach you. The first thing is to learn the name of the pieces, how they move, and what there value is. It is always good to try and find other people that you can play with either in a school chess club or at a library chess club or you can go to a chess camp like we have. You can also take chess lessons. There is software you can get. My little sister is learning chess from a computer program called Dinosaur Chess. That is a fun way to learn chess.
You host chess camps throughout the year for youth wanting to learn chess – what is your favorite thing about teaching others to play chess?
It is fun to teach other people what I love to do. It is fun to be with other kids my age who play chess. And it is fun to play them in a quick game where they have 5 minutes and I have 1 minute.
What chess software or learning tools would you recommend for kids your age?
The best software is the Russian tactics software. The first one is called Chess Tactics for Beginners. They should also get Fritz or another chess analysis program. And they should get an ICC account so they can play people all around the world any time they want.
Anything else you’d like to tell kid and adult chess players about yourself or the game of chess?
Chess is a great sport!! My brother and I argue about whether or not it is a sport, but I think it is. It involves skill and competition and has professionals, but no matter what you call it, it is great!! One day I want to be a grandmaster. I am working very hard to make that happen. I hope that my story can make other kids want to play chess.
A note from the author: I’d like to thank Kayden Troff for his willingness to share his thoughts and experiences with us. I have been very impressed with both the family’s kindness and Kayden’s exciting accomplishments in chess – and Wholesale Chess and myself wish them all much luck in their future endeavors.
Top image source: Deseret News.
Tags: kayden troff
I think it’s certainly clear that Kayden’s family and his experiences with chess have taught him a great deal at such a young age – a tribute to his intellect and personality.
What a fantastic interview! Thanks for asking these important questions of Kayden and publishing his responses. One in particular blows me away:
“Good things in life are not always easy. The things that really mean the most always take hard work. You have to decide how much it means to you. I have also learned that sometimes people are not very nice. Sometimes they say things that hurt your feelings, but you still have to do what you think is right.”
Are you sure this kid isn’t really 60 years old, in a Curious Case of Benjamin Button sort of way?