Six-year-old Filipino-American chess player Scott Matthew Escalera is the highest-ranking player in his age group in the latest United States Chess Federation (USCF) ratings.
The chess whiz kid from Illinois ranked in the 22nd spot in the Top 100 players in the US, the highest place for players in his Under 7 Age Group.
Escalera won the 2019 Illinois K-8 State Chess Championship in March and is currently the K1 State Champion, the only ever Kindergartener to play Board 1 at his school and district wide.
Scott was also named as the most active chess player in the Academic and Fiscal Year Leaders for Regular and Dual Rated Games in the State of Illinois.
The young Escalera traces his roots to his father Ren Vincent Escalera from Cagayan De Oro City in the Philippines. The older Escalera posted on social media his proud words noting how Scott Matthew has been winning awards.
“150+++ awards in 16 months of playing chess between 5 to 6 years old of age. But this boy does! Words from a proud father!” captioned Ren Escalera on a photo of Scott Matthew with all his trophies and medals.
Filipinos chess players have excelled in international tourneys notably 8-year-old Daniela Bianca Cruz of Bulacan who won 3 silvers in the ASEAN Chess Championship where compatriot teen players captured 5 golds. Teenage champ Jasper Concepcion Faeldonia of Romblon picked up the gold in Singapore.
Eleven-year-old child prodigy Rocky Romero recently became a FIDE Master.
Filipino-American Grand Master Wesley So has won the US Chess Championship and is currently competing in the US Chess Grand Tour.
SEND congratulations in the comments below to Scott Matthew Escalera and his support team for rising in the US Chess Federation ratings!
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