Sonja Haller

The Republic | azcentral.com

Scottsdale third-grader qualifies for World Youth Chess Championships

Fundraiser for third-grader is Wednesday%2C Sept. 3 at AZ Air Time

Sonoran Sky student excels at chess and sports%2C working on tying shoes

When 8-year-old Justin Friedlander wins a match, he's that much closer to his dream of becoming a chess grandmaster.

When he loses, there is a handshake with the opponent and the occasional emotional overflow, but there's always the next match, the next tournament. And in chess and in life, more to learn.

The Scottsdale third-grader, a top youth chess player in the United States, will compete in the World Youth Chess Championships in Durban, South Africa, in September.

Justin's youth is apparent in many ways.

"This is kind of funny, but I don't know how to tie my shoes, even at the age of 8," Justin said. "So, I used to wear Velcro shoes. Now, I'm wearing lace shoes but my mom tied them today. My dad tied them yesterday."

But the world-championship event is more than kid stuff. The 10-day youth tournament consists of 11 matches featuring 180 Americans and more than 1,500 chess players from around the world. He's only nervous about the flight to South Africa.

"All those hours on a plane?" he said.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, AZ Air Time Trampoline Park in Scottsdale is hosting a fundraiser to help Justin take that plane ride. People can play a five-minute blitz chess game with Justin for $5 or just play inside the indoor trampoline park, where a portion of the proceeds will be donated toward the trip. The tournament is Sept. 18-30.

Justin will bring with him a baseball, glove and maybe a soccer ball and football to play with his dad during any down time. The Sonoran Sky Elementary student also excels at basketball and soccer, but he has been known to pass on competitive activities all together.

Given the choice of defending his first-grade state title in the Arizona State Scholastic Championships or going to the school carnival, Justin chose the latter.

"And that was fine with me if it made him happy," said his dad, Robert Friedlander.

To prepare for the World Youth Chess Championships, Justin has been playing and studying chess every day for the past two weeks, instead of three times a week.

He started playing at age 4 after watching his older brother play in the school's chess club. He soon began entering tournaments by Phoenix's Chess Emporium and taking private lessons at Unity Chess Club in Scottsdale.

Among his titles is the 2014 Arizona State Grades Championships, which he won in the second grade.

His father, a landlord, actor and former radio sports journalist, said neither son got their chess prowess from him.

"One mother of a chess kid came up to me and asked if Justin was so good because I am what is called a grandmaster," he said. "I told her I was a grandmaster of the remote."

Robert Friedlander was a puzzle enthusiast when he was young and he has that in common with Justin.

"I put a lot of puzzles together. Five in one day once," Justin said. "Both use the brain and figuring out what goes where."

He has traveled to national tournaments in Dallas, Chicago, Orlando and Los Angeles. Many of the trophies he brought home are taller than him.

"When I don't play well, I'm usually mad at myself. If I lose and I tried my hardest and it was a tough match, then I'm OK with that," Justin said.

To qualify for the World Youth Chess Championships, Justin had to earn a minimum 1,600 rating in his 8-and-under age group. Grandmasters have achieved at least a 2,500 rating. If he triumphs over an opponent with more rating points, Justin's rating points go up. So, grandmaster doesn't seem like such a grand dream.

"I want to become a grandmaster," he said. But while competing comes easy, Justin suspects public speaking as a grandmaster might not, giving him more to learn.

"I'll have to talk about chess strategy and people will gather around you, like the president. I could be famous. That would be hard."

Fundraiser for World Youth Chess Championship competitor

What: A chance to support third-grader Justin Friedlander with a portion of the proceeds from AZ Air Time pricing, bidding on silent-auction items while there or by playing him in a five-minute blitz chess game for $5.

When: Noon-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Where: AZ Air Time Trampoline Park, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale.

Details: To contribute or send good wishes, contact helpjustinwin@gmail.com or log into justinchess.com.