Is There An Expert in the House?

Paging Avi Kaplan…Avi Kaplan.   This remarkable young chess talent soared to Expert Level 2027 (and ranked 32nd nationally among 12-year-olds) after Chicago Chess Center’s Bastille Plus, July 14, 2019.  A sweet season indeed for this gifted youngster who walked into his first chess class at Chicago Public School Decatur Classical back in 2013 “looking for something he was good at”.   150+ tournaments later, Avi walked out a winner—inspiring others who aspire—combining talent, hard work, and total dedication to the royal game.

“Every chess master was once a beginner.”   Irving Chernev

Most days begin at 5:00 a.m. for Avi.    He rises early—braving sleet, snow, hail, rain—for chess class, chess prep.  “It’s about stamina,” he says, “Physical and mental.  Long hours at the board.  Staying focused, positive, and enthusiastic.”

Add to that countless hours of study, tournament travel, arduous training sessions with coaches, Chess.com, Chess Base, Li Chess for an ‘exemplar par excellence’.  It’s about remaining undaunted in your quest for chess excellence: “whatever the game result, keep pushing, keep learning, keep playing”.  

And play he does—this 2018/2019 ICA Warren Scholar—all over Illinois and then some.  Chess-Ed, Kumbaya, Dynamic Chess, Whitney Young HS Chess Camp,  Edgebrook Public Library, Renaissance Knights, Chicago Chess Center, Caveman Chess, Chess Max in Manhattan, Nashville Nationals K-6.  

Where else?  In the Statue of Liberty’s crown, on a submarine in Key West, in a Costa Rican rainforest, in a Kentucky cave, at the Mayan pyramids at Chichen Itza.  Wherever he plays, Kaplan claims: “I always try to strategize—calculate moves by position.

Chess and Baseball

“Like chess,” Avi says, “Baseball is a mental game of adjusting and positioning yourself for the win.”  When his dad worked for the Baltimore Orioles, Avi had the good fortune to be invited into their clubhouse to play chess.  What began as a 15-minute game turned into a 3-hour chessathon during which Kaplan played over a dozen players of varying strengths.  “It was a great experience,” he says, noting: “the Baltimore Orioles regularly utilize chess to energize expand players’ minds and translate that energy to the playing field.”  He hopes more teams will follow suit.

Personal Faves?  Hikaru Nakamura.  Playing bishops during the endgame.  Wining while Anatoly Karpov watched his game.  And teaching chess.  Teaching?  Yes, Avi is already giving back to the game via training several youngsters to think critically and plan future goals.

Influences & Accolades 

A fourth-generation Chicagoan, Avi cites his family’s invaluable support, and would also like to thank present coach Shiva Maharaj along with GM Boris Avrukh, Bill Brock, Bill Buklis, John Hoesely, Jerry Neugarten, Chris Swan, David Heiser, and Ben Wong, just a few folks in our vast chess community who’ve fueled his success.  Avi fondly recalls:  “Mike Cardinale—with his kindness and humor—how much we miss him.”

Avi’s stats?  More than impressive cross tables.  Regular & Blitz.  First Place Highlights:  YCFC State at Lane Tech, K-4, 11/14; K-4 CPS Finals at Whitney Young, 3/15; YCFC, (overall) perfect score, 11/16; YCFC (advanced, overall) & team, at Rickover 2/17; 1st place overall tournament champion, Greater Chicago Chess Championship, K-12; and of course, the CCC Bastille Plus that vaulted him to Expert.

Additionally:  5-time CPS Finals Champion 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014; Illinois State Blitz Champion 2017, 2015; Illinois State Champion 2016; 3-time MVP Chess Champion (MacDonald Foundation) 2019, 2018, 2015; 7-time YCFC Champion 2016 (3x), 2017, 2015, 2014 (2x)

Chess Future & Chess Cats

“You win some, you lose some—but no matter what happens—you have stay positive and look to the future.”

What does the future hold for Avi Kaplan?  Achieving Master Level while a middle-schooler at Lane Tech?  Quite possibly. Time will undoubtedly tell well for this fine young man.  We, of the ICA (and countless others) wish you the best.  However, the real question is:   what about Sundance and Rose?  Avi’s chess cats.   

“I’ve been working with them for 2 years,” says Avi, “But they’ve barely scratched the surface.”  (Long paws, grins) Have you tried the Bird Opening, Mr. Kaplan?  Feline Double Dutch?  We know it’s a stretch—but they just might pounce on it!