It's your move — Chess is more than just a game; it develops analytical skills for living

Ramiro Zapana devises his plan soon after the first pawn moves. He is quick to formulate his offense as piece after piece leave the board. He fortifies his defense by strategically moving his castle, knight and bishop. He knows what moves he'll make long before he makes them.

Within 15 minutes, Zapana's opponent is thwarted, obliterated, checkmated — unable to stop the forces that descended on the checkered chessboard.

Although Zapana is only 12, he understands the intricacies of chess, a classic game often learned and mastered by children even younger than he is.

Zapana joined 11 other kids last week to take part in Chess on Main 2004 at Sam Weller's Zion Bookstore. This non-rated, local tournament allowed children and adults to compete for cash prizes and gift certificates.

"What I enjoy, especially about this tournament, is that you have children who haven't played in a tournament before, and they get their first win and they're so excited," said Jason Walker, an employee of the bookstore and organizer of the event.

Each of the 44 participants played five 30-minute rounds over a period of eight days. Many took place on the four concrete chess tables outside the bookstore. Players competed in the scholastic, adult or champion divisions.

Zapana, who was in the scholastic division, registered late, barely making the deadline. But each day he loyally showed up for his matches and sat quietly through each one, silently contemplating his plan, his hands clasped in front of him close to his king.

Unlike others in the scholastic division, Zapana grew up in Arequipa, Peru, having moved to the United States only two years ago. He learned chess at age 5 or 6 from his father, Simon, who later signed him up at a local chess club. He competed in his first tournament at age 7 and continued playing chess after he and his family came to Utah.

Zapana used to play his father and his 17-year-old sister, Katherine, but he quickly became the better player. "(Recently) I tell him, 'No, I will not play with you because I know that you will win,' " Katherine said. "He's a good kid. Everyone loves him."

Kids at chess

Although Zapana is in junior high now and doesn't play chess as much as he used to, he wants to get better at it, he said. Chess has now become one of his favorite hobbies, right up there with participating in sports, watching television and playing Nintendo.