Eric Huang Wins U.S.C.F. National Competition

By Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D.

Eric HuangEric Huang, in sixth grade at Weibel Elementary School in Fremont, won a Saitek Renaissance Computer. The Saitek Renaissance Computer carries a retail value of $999. The judges at Saitek and the United States Chess Federation selected Eric´s game as the best game among hundreds submitted for the Kasparov Turbo Advanced Trainer: National Competition. School Mates magazine announced this competition at the end of 1995. Eric´s parents had just bought him the Kasparov Turbo Trainer for his successful completion of the goals he had set for 1995. Every year Eric sets goals for himself in all avenues of his life. His 1995 goals included achievements in school, chess, music and activities around the house. When the Kasparov Turbo Trainer arrived from the U.S.C.F. in early 1995, the then ten year old, noticed the announcement of the national competition. He set the level at the required A4 and played his favorite opening: The Danish Gambit.

Eric has been studying with Richard Shorman for about a year. Richard Shorman excels at teaching classical openings through classical games. Richard Shorman told me that Eric studies hard and always does his homework.

Eric´s diligence in his studies plus his training on the Kasparov Turbo computer probably led to his phenomenal second place finish in the Junior Varsity Division at the 1996 Junior High School Nationals. I invited Eric, who I coach at Weibel Elementary School, to join our players from Hopkins Junior High School in their trip to Orlando, Florida. I thought the experience would benefit his chess. The Hopkins Junior High School Team won the open team championshipand the then fifth grader from Weibel Elementary School went undefeated in the J.V. section. Eric´s six wins and a draw against mostly seventh and eighth grade students gave him a trophy that was nearly as tall as he was.

Eric Huang would like to win this year´s state championship. We are holding the competition at the Burlingame Embassy Suites on March 22 and 23. Eric knows that among those he must contend against for this honor is his team mate, best friend and training partner, Robert Wei. Eric told a reporter from the San Jose Mercury News, who did a story on his success, that he has so much respect for the higher rated Robert´s talent that he expects Robert to win. Personally, I would not take bets on the outcome, especially now that Eric can practice on the Saitek Renaissance Computer.

THE WINNING GAME:

White: Eric Huang (1036)
Black: TAT (Level A4) Danish Gambit
1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Bc4 Nf6
5. Nxc3 Bc5
6. Nf3 0-0
7. Bg5 h6
8. Bh4 Re8
9. 0-0 g5
10. Nxg5 hxg5
11. Bxg5 Nc6
12. Re1 d6
13. Nd5 Bd4
14. Bb5 Re6
15. Bc4 Bxb2
16. Rb1 Be5
17. Nxf6+ Bxf6
18. Bxe6 Bxg5
19. Bd5 Qe7
20. Rb3 Bf6
21. Rg3+ Bg7
22. Qh5 Nd4
23. Ree3 c5
24. Qh6 Qf8
25. f4 Rb8
26. Rg5 Be6
27. f5 Nf5
28. exf5 Bxf5
29. Reg3 Bg4
30. Rg5xg4 Rc8
31. Rxg7+ Qxg7
32. Qxg7++


California Chess Journal,© Autumn, 1996