Pawn-Sized Chess Player King Of His Division

It's obvious the game has had its effect on him because he pauses before he speaks, as though each question requires careful consideration.

Such thoughtfulness may be expected in an older state chess champion, but A.J. Jansen is a 6-year-old.

No mere pawn, the Harrison Elementary School kindergartner took top honors at the 2001 Indiana State Chess Grade Championship held May 5 at the Canterbury School in Fort Wayne.

The son of Dr. Dean and Carol Lyn Jansen of Warsaw, A.J. came across a stored chess board at home while his mom was cleaning.

A.J. was drawn to it like a sidelined bishop whose opportunity to capture an opponent's unguarded queen has arrived.

"He asked what it was and I told him but I don't know how to play," his mother said. "His dad taught him and now, after three months, can't beat him anymore.

"We've gone from a non-chess-playing family to a chess playing family," she said with a laugh.

The Jansens' daughter, Erika, a second-grader, is a chess club member, and their 4-year-old son, Nick, plays, too.

The Jansen children are allowed to read a book in bed before they go to sleep. A.J. reads a chess book charting the games and strategy of former world chess champion Bobby Fischer.

Fischer began playing when he was 6, too.

"That's what he chooses to read," Carol Lyn said. "He's kind of a funny little guy."

On Wednesday the Harrison school's chess club held its year-end tournament. A.J. was the official.

That meant he had to answer other players' questions if they arose. It was serious business.

Hands wriggling in his pockets, the state winner wasn't sure he wanted to be interviewed.

"'He's shy," his mother said.

He had responsibilities, too, after all.

Only after being reassured he could be spared for a few minutes did the blond-haired, blue-eyed boy consent to a conversation. Nevertheless, he kept half an eye on the 13 boards under play.

Does A.J. want to be a world champion like Fischer when he grows up?

"Yes," he softly answers, after a pause, of course.

What are his favorite opening moves?

"King pawn up two, then queen and king knights to center."

His favorite pieces are the blacks and, of course, the queen is his favorite piece "because she can go anywhere."

He's checked opponents in as few as four moves and has had three games going at once.

He likes to ride his bike and scooter, watch the NASCAR Racers cartoon on television and nachos are his favorite food.

At home his three regulation -size chess boards have pieces made of plastic, alabaster and wood. He has several small sets, too.

His favorite part of the game is when he "gets people in checkmate."

"It's good to practice," he said.

And that's about all he has to say for himself, except the best part of the state tournament last Saturday was winning the trophy.

Harrison second-grade teacher Deb McClintock insists Carol Lyn was instrumental in starting the Harrison chess club, which has 45 players.

Carol Lyn insists McClintock is the real supporter of the club. Both women's enthusiasm for the game is obvious.

In April they, along with area educators and help from the Kosciusko County Foundation, sponsored a Warsaw Community Schools chess tournament in the Edgewood Middle School gym. Ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade, 63 students competed in five rounds of play.

A.J. was the first-place winner in kindergarten through first grade during that tournament, too.

Other recent wins include first place at the Elkhart regional.

Although A.J. has a coach, Dean Shenk of Goshen, the man doesn't accompany the child to tournaments.

"He'll take it as far as he wants to go," his mother said of the unranked player.

She intends to keep the game fun.

"We played tag between matches at the Canterbury School while other kids' coaches were telling them what they did wrong and what to do for the next match.

"I think that's kind of unhealthy."

In December the Jansens will travel to Dallas, Texas, where A.J. will compete for the national grade chess title.

Between now and then are hours and hours of practice, lessons, matches, strategies to learn and consider.

Not that A.J. minds; he's found his game and found himself welcome.