W. Jordan youth wins chess gold

Eleven-year-old Kayden Troff of West Jordan recently won his way to the North American Youth Championship chess tournament, where he ended up sharing a gold medal with another U.S. chess champion.

It was Troff's first appearance at a major international event after a six-month stint of holding the No. 1 position in the country for age 13 and under playing quick games. His most recent win, which resulted from a draw with Virginia player Jeevan Karamsetty, earned Troff a chance to represent the country and compete at the Pan American Youth Championships in Brazil in 2010.

It is expected that he also will be named to represent the U.S. in the 2010 World Youth Championships in Greece, which lasts two weeks; however, participants have to pay their own way to the tournament, and Troff, who is home-schooled, will need sponsorship.

The U.S. delegation of 10 top-rated players played in the Oct. 1-5 tournament and brought home four gold medals and two bronze.

— Wendy Leonard