By Karyn Malench Yesterday at 2:43 p.m.
Niles North High School chess player Eric Rosen was crowned the National K12 Champion at the United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Tournament held April 28 through May 1 in Nashville, TN. Rosen was the tournament’s only undefeated competitor, beating FIDE Master Aleksandr Ostrovskiy in round six, which set up a match against International Master Marc Arnold for the seventh and final round. Rosen said, “After I won my sixth round game, my nervousness went away, and I felt I had nothing to lose. When I found out I was playing him, I had some time to prepare, and I went to my computer to look up some past tournament games he had played. During the game, I tried to zone everything out and just focus on the board. I was seated on a stage for the last round, but after five minutes, I forgot about everyone watching me.”
Rosen’s incredible grace under pressure allowed him to defeat Arnold, emerging as the tournament champion after three grueling days of seven rounds of play. Niles North Head Chess Coach Harry Kyriazes commented, “This remarkable accomplishment becomes even more extraordinary when one considers that games at the National tournament often take four hours to complete—the Vikings each played nearly eight hours the first day, twelve hours the second, and eight more on the final day of competition.”
The USCF website refers to Rosen’s win as “one of the most outstanding individual achievements in this tournament’s history.” For Rosen, his accomplishment is only just beginning to sink in. “I kept having to repeat to myself that I won the national championship. I remember when I was in second grade, and seeing players at Nationals who were playing on the stage and looking up to them, and it feels like I’ve come so far.”
Niles North Principal Dr. Ryan McTague said, “Niles North is so proud of Eric’s amazing USCF K12 National Championship. First and foremost, Eric is a positive role model whose commitment and dedication to our school and local community serves as an example to us all.” Dr. McTague proclaimed Friday, May 6 as Eric Rosen Day at Niles North High School. Rosen and his teammates will be feted at an afternoon celebration at the school.
Rosen, a junior, began playing chess when he was seven, and worked with renowned trainer Tamara Golovey. He currently trains with Grandmaster Dmitry Gurevich and is a member of the Chicago Blaze team of the United States Chess League. Rosen is the top-rated high school player in Illinois and he earned the title of Life Master in 2010. The Life Master designation is awarded once a player attains a rating of over 2,200 and maintains it for at least 300 chess games. The title is held for life.
Rosen’s latest accomplishment is no fluke. Since he started playing the game, he has steadily earned accolades and awards. He won the 2009 U.S. Junior Open and the 2010 High School Individual State Championship (Denker Qualifier). After his defeat of East Coast Grandmaster John Federowicz in the 2009 U.S. Open Chess Championship, Rosen said, “My goal is to break 2,300 and that’s called a FIDE Master and its one of the highest titles you can receive in chess.” Rosen, who is rated at 2,333, now says, “It would be nice to get my rating high enough to be invited to play in the U.S. Junior Closed. To do that, I definitely have to be over 2,400. My short-term goals are to do well in upcoming tournaments. I plan to play at the World Open in Philadelphia in July and a tournament for players at the Master level and above in Los Angeles in August.”
The ripple effects of Rosen’s national championship will be felt throughout the North Shore. Rosen’s parents were instrumental in starting a chess program at Middleton Elementary School when he was a student, and they helped to set up an informal drop-in chess program at the Skokie Public Library. Rosen mentors chess students at Sherwood Elementary School in Highland Park. He is generous with his talents and offers strategies and puzzles to help others raise their game. He said, “The most important thing is just to enjoy the game and strive to get better. Hard work also pays off. Learning from your losses and mistakes is also one of the most important things you can do in chess and in life—figuring out what your mistakes were and how you can prevent them next time.”
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