Hikaru Nakamura, 10, has all the right moves! This month he became the youngest American chess master ever. The title means he's earned more than 2,200 points in tournaments. Hikaru began playing chess at age 7, after watching his brother Asuka play. For years, Asuka, 12, was the chess champ, beating all the younger players. Then his little brother started beating him. (Asuka missed the master cut by 56 points, but he'll keep trying.) Hikaru's next goal is to be an international master. Does he ever get bored at the board? "Only when I'm losing."

Daily News from TIME for Kids

April 24, 1998 World Report