Twelve-year-old African-American student and Bronx native Justus Williams was named the youngest black national chess masters champion in the country.
Nicknamed the “Lebron James of chess,” Williams’ chess-playing skills have taken him to Brazil and Canada. He is not alone in his victories, however. Two other black 12-year-olds – Joshua Colas and James Black Jr. – joined Williams as masters champions, but Williams’ victory was the first. The young black chess masters have competed against champions ranging in age – up to over 50 years old.
Williams’ interest of the game began in the third grade. After going for football, he was encouraged by his mother to consider the game of chess. He joined the Bronx Bombers Chess Team and would soon be a certified champion. In less than three years, Williams became one of the highest-ranked elementary students in the country.
Williams’ remarkable strides in the game have not come cheap. He attends the U.S. Chess School in Texas among the country’s best chess players. He and his family are set to arrive in Brazil this week for the World Youth Chess Championship, and next month, they are expected in Greece. The award-winning player requires a private coach who charges $100 an hour to remain competitive. Williams’ family works to find sponsors for his training or must provide for his expenses out of pocket.
Williams spends his free time working with the “Dare to Be Different” campaign for kids, encouraging them to seek out stimulating hobbies.
