Check Mate: SH Teen Wins Big

Jake Miller, Sleepy Hollow resident and junior at Rockland Country Day School, placed 15^th out of nearly 1,100 contestants during April's National High School Chess Championship.

It was a milestone for the local teen who, despite his young age, has been refining his chess-playing skills for years. 

Miller's father taught him the game at age six, but soon found he was no match for his son's strategic mind. Jake continued to play for a few years, but became anxious under the intense tournament pressure.

"He took a break for a couple of years," said his mother, Myriam Barenbaum. "Then he went back at around age 10, and from then on, that was it."

As of today, Miller has competed in 140 tournaments across the country, and boasts a rating of 2000, which classifies him as an Expert player.

"Essentially, everyone has a rating," he explained. "It goes up when you win and down when you lose, but the extent to which it does depends on the rank of the person you play."

The 2010 National High School Championship, held in Columbus, Ohio, marked Miller's fourth showing at nationals, and he's pleased with the results.

"I've done progressively better each time," he said. "I achieved my goal of placing in the top 20."

Miller has become fully engaged in the national chess community over the years and has formed friendships with other players who attend many of the tournaments throughout the process.

This year, Miller applied for, and won, the annual National Scholar/Chessplayer Scholarship. Applicants, who need to submit transcripts and essays about the positive effects chess has had on their lives, vie for recognition and scholarships for college.

"I knew some of the people who won and I figured I had a shot," he said, displaying the certificate he was awarded, "but I didn't expect to win."

"I was thrilled for him," said Barenbaum. "I thought his essay was really thoughtful."

Miller keeps his skills fresh by practicing 15-20 hours per week, whether by reading strategy books or playing in an online forum. He also takes private lessons from renowned chess coach Adnan Kobas, a Senior Master chess player, who has been coaching chess in his native Serbia and the U.S. for over 35 years.

Kobas, who has coached Miller for seven years, is impressed with Miller's love for the game and focus in between lessons.

"It usually takes people more than 200 tournaments to reach his rating," Kobas said. "I'm satisfied with his progress and rating."

Miller's lessons with Kobas often involve replaying the critical matches from past tournaments in order to learn from his mistakes.

"It's especially important to analyze the games you lose," said Kobas.

Miller has also recently become a chess instructor himself, which seemed to come naturally after founding the Chess Club at his high school and dishing out tips to his fellow students.

"I've always liked teaching people things I'm good at," he said.

He currently gives private lessons to kids in Westchester—"I always tell them chess is a game about making plans," he said. "You have to not only notice your plans, but your opponent's, and make every move have a purpose."

Miller is adamant about finding a college to attend that involves or is nearby a strong chess community, and mentions Boston and New York as possible locations. He also points out that the University of Maryland's Baltimore campus, the number one chess playing college in the country, gives full scholarships to players ranked 2000 or higher with at least a 3.4 GPA.

In addition to chess tournaments and practice, Miller has had a busy school year. He recently completed five Advanced Placement exams, captains the school's Debate Team and is a varsity tennis player. He also plays varsity soccer and basketball in the fall and winter, respectively.

With summer on the horizon, he's not slowing down—final exams are approaching, only to be followed by more tournaments, including the New Jersey invitation-only State Championship. Miller will also be working at a day and sleep-away camp later in the summer.

He hopes to have as much time as possible to continue honing his game, though, and is already thinking ahead to his final showing at nationals.

"Next year I want to place in the top 10," Miller said. "Or maybe even tie for first."