America And Its High-Potential Kids By Andy Smarick 10/25/2013
"But leaving possible solutions aside, I’d like to return to the fundamental problem—that we seem not to care very much about these boys and girls. If you doubt this, ask yourself: What is my organization doing for the highest-potential students? What is our reform movement doing for them?"
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Case #1: The Norwegian Magnus Carlsen.
"...So I want to become a grandmaster this year. I also want to become the youngest in the Western (world) of all time." Not only did he make such a claim at 13 years old, but he also predicted that by 22 years of age he would be world champion. 9 Years after making such astounding statements, he is playing for the world championship this month! His birthday? November 20th. He will have the chance to be world champion while he eclipses 22 later this month. The point: they didn't let his talent go to waste!
Read more here and watch the short documentary
Case #2: The Women's World Champion: Hou Yifan.
Now age 18, Yifan began chess lesson in 1999 at the age of 5. In 2003 wins World Youth Championship (u10). In 2006 is youngest ever to compete in FIDE Women's World Championship at 12 years old. In 2007 Yifan becomes China's youngest Women's National Champion at age 13. In 2008 Becomes youngest female player ever to win International Grandmaster title: age 14. In 2010 becomes youngest world chess chapion in history at Women's World Chess Championship: age 16. "Her mother's robust support is what props up China's latest chess prodigy, Hou Yifan, and allows her to exploit her full potential. Nurturing champions is a task that teeters from amiable dictatorship to stern pampering, as the mother of Hou Yifan will tell you. Tang Yue looks into the psyche of both mother and child." The point: they endured extreme hardship to not let her talent go to waste.
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Case #3: 2013 United States Chess League IM Jeffery Xiong.
At just 12 years old, Jeffrey has eclipsed the threshold of the ultimate ranking of chess champions: a rating above 2500. IN April 2013, he achieved the rank of International Master. This month he broke records: "Jeffery Xiong showed why he is considered one of the brightest talents in American Chess with an unheard of 8-0 result, including wins against three GMs. Jeffery becomes the first undefeated MVP along with the youngest MVP in League history."
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"We should care about all boys and girls. Morally, it’s the right thing to do. Politically, too: If we want education reform to be sustainable, we have to broaden our base. But we should also help high-achievers for the sake of our nation. Our brightest kids have the potential to become our future presidents, judges, diplomats, business leaders, scientists, and artists. If we’re to remain competitive internationally and prosperous and free domestically, we must start investing more in high-talent kids. It’ll pay big dividends, and future generations will thank us for patriotically leaving them this nest egg." -Andy Smarick
ONE DAY ONLY! Saturday Dec. 14th, 2013, Franklin, KY
Cash Prize fund for Amateur Section (min. rating 1600 to enter)
Scholastic section: Team Trophies and Individual Awards to Scholastic teams/members
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