Student has all the right moves

CHESS CHAMP- Dennis Neymit, 12, is surrounded by trophies that pay tribute to his winning chess skills, including an impressive one for his the latest triumph, first place in the annual Pacific Coast Open Chess Tournament. Dennis attends Lindero Canyon Middle School.

Dennis Neymit, 12, of Agoura Hills, won in the Pacific Coast Open chess tournament on July 21 and 22 at the Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel.

Dennis tied for first place in his section along with three adults and received a $600 cash prize. He plans to contribute some of the money to a veterans' charity.

He won four of his games and drew in two. His fifthround game lasted five hours.

Dennis is an eighth-grader at Lindero Canyon Middle School. Pacific Coast Open is an annual competition which attracts chess players from as far away as New York.

Also in July, Dennis won first place, with 4.5 out of 5 points, in the Pacific Southwest Open scholastic tournament held in Burbank.