Young chess whiz keeps mind sharp

CHESS QUEEN-Willow Elementary student Simone Liao, 7, displays her trophy after winning second place in the Super States Chess Tournament in April. Agoura Hills resident Simone Liao, 7, took second place in her division in the Super States Chess Tournament on April 29 and 30.

A Willow Elementary School student, Simone began chess stud

ies late last year. Besides studying at home, Simone attended Chess Dreams classes in Thousand Oaks and is said to be one of the better players in the group.

Super States Chess Tournament is an annual statewide scholastic chess tournament. Hundreds of top players, from kindergarten to 12th grade, compete. This year's tournament at the Burbank Hilton drew about 300 young chess players. Less than 10 percent of the participants were girls. In two days of hard competi

tion, Simone played seven games and won six to earn second place in her division.

Simone has aspirations to play in competitive chess tournaments against the top American and international youth players, but she says she'll need to "do a lot of chess" before getting to that level.