Chess player makes moves among the elite

Published 8:00 am Saturday, July 29, 2006

Young champion Ricky Selzler checks and mates his way to the top of the game.

Even when he surrenders his king, Ricky Selzler remains optimistic.

“Losing is a big part of chess,” he said. “It’s important to be a gracious loser and take your defeats well.”

That’s what Selzler finds so appealing about the game – learning self-discipline and how to control his emotions.

Selzler will use these skills when he competes in the U.S. Chess Open Tournament in Chicago on Sunday.

“Everyone there’s like me (skill-wise). I can’t underestimate anyone. Everyone will be a challenge,” he said.

Selzler started playing chess during class breaks at Sakai Intermediate School. At first he sat and watched his friends play. He later joined them so he wouldn’t feel left out.

Now, at age 16, Selzler is proud of his accomplishments and credits his strong ambition for achieving them. He won the High School Chess Championship in January and is closing in on the “master” level – signifying the top 1 percent of players. He has beaten all the master players in Seattle, with the exception of the current Washington champion.

“My goal is to be at the master level within the next three months,” Selzler said.

The competition is fierce and Selzler welcomes it because it challenges his analytical thinking. And while he has never been good at art, chess also gives him an outlet for his creativity.

He has participated in so many tournaments he’s lost track. He keeps individual game scores, but has run out of room to file them.

“I have no idea how many (matches) I’ve played,” Selzler said, “but I do know I play a tournament at least once a month. It helps me to remain sharp.”

Recently Selzler, with the help of his parents, Bob and Mieko, found a space at Lynwood Center to establish a chess center for instruction and competition. Ricky’s Chess Center is open every Wednesday. Lessons are from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by free play until 9:30. The cost is $7.50 per player per session.

“I really enjoy teaching. I coach the intermediate players at Odyssey School,” he said. “I want to share my skills with other kids so they can achieve their goals.”

Selzler also coaches three local youths: Ruben Garcia, Trevor Johnson and Eryn Cohen. Under his tutelage, Ruben is ranked second in state among fifth-graders, while Trevor is in the state’s top five among first-graders.

Eryn has played some 30 tournaments and won trophies at more than 20, including the National Championship last spring.

Selzler met him at an island chess club for adults last summer. While the club eventually disintegrated due to lack of interest, the pair remained chess-mates.

“Ricky’s the best teacher,” 11-year-old Eryn said. “I want to keep progressing to master level so I can be as good as Ricky.”

Selzler takes his praise in stride and credits his skills to two men: Will Fugate of the Silverdale Homeschool Club, and chess champion and coach Viktor Pupols, one of only 41 people to win against Bobby Fischer.

That is why Selzler, along with Eryn and his father, Mark, are hosting a chess camp for children at Selzler’s center August 21 to 25. The cost is $140 and is open to ages 5 and up, for novice to intermediate players. Additional information on the chess center and upcoming camp may be obtained by phoning 842-2444.

Girls are encouraged to attend, as they are the least represented in the chess circle. Selzler points out that Judit Polgar of Hungary reached the top 10 in the world and also won against the Russian Grand Master Gary Kasparov.

Selzler himself lost to a girl at a recent tournament; she went on to compete in the U.S. Championships.

“Women can accomplish the same thing as men in chess,” he said.