Congratulations are in order for Joaquin Perkins who won a perfect 7/7 games at the FIDE North American Youth Chess Championship in Mexico City, Mexico. I was not surprised by Joaquin’s performance as I know him to be one of the brightest chess talents in California and even the United States. However, winning the gold medal at the NAYCC is an awesome accomplishment and the greatest showing in his young career. For his accomplishment, FIDE has awarded Joaquin Perkins with the Title of Candidate Master. To my knowledge, he is the only 8-year-old sporting a FIDE title in the United States.
Below is a wonderful example of Joaquin Perkins’ chess skill from the 2012 North American Youth Chess Championship:
[Event “North American Youth Chess Championships”]
[Site “Mexico City”]
[Date “2012.06.02”]
[Round “4”]
[White “Perkins, Joaquin K.”]
[Black “Mena-Martinez, B.”]
[Result “1-0”]
[PlyCount “49”]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6 7. d5 Na5 8.
Bd3 O-O 9. b4 Re8 10. O-O Nxe4 11. bxa5 Bxa5 12. Qa4 Bc3 13. Nxc3 Nxc3 14. Qc4
Qf6 15. Bg5 Qd6 16. Qxc3 Qxd5 17. Rfe1 Rf8 18. Qd2 Kh8 19. Qe3 Qe6 20. Qc5 Qd6
21. Qxd6 cxd6 22. Be7 Re8 23. Ng5 h6 24. Nxf7+ Kg8 25. Nxd6 1-0
