Adam Weser, an eighth grade student at Jericho Middle School, recently finished first in his age bracket at the Super National Chess Tournament, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee and was named national champion.

The world's largest scholastic chess tournament in history recorded approximately 5,230 entries in Nashville. Students from 1,300 schools in 48 states representing over 600 cities gathered at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center for four days of intense competition with pride, trophies and scholarships on the line.

The approximately 5,230 students smashed the old record of 4,606 entries recorded in Kansas City in 2001. National scholastic tournaments are held each year but are divided by location into elementary, middle school and high school events. Every four years all three are gathered at one site for a "Super" National. The 2005 event is the third such event organized by the United States Chess Federation, the governing body for chess in the United States, located in Crossville, TN.

Weser was named the K-8 individual national champion after he competed in the kindergarten - eighth grade championship section. There are different sections in each age category and Weser was competing in the championship section, the highest in his age bracket, and beat all 243 competitors. Weser's current ranking is 1980, and a 2000 rating is considered expert.

Weser played seven matches and had six wins and one draw, representing the highest score thus leading to his championship. This is the second national title for Weser, who also won when he was in third grade.

"I felt more confident at this tournament than I had in the past since I have improved so much since the last time I won the nationals," said Weser. "I get nervous right before the tournament starts but as soon as they say 'start your clocks' I feel confident."

Weser, who has over 50 chess trophies, started playing chess after his father Matthew taught him how to play when he was only 4 years old and Weser started competing in tournaments when he was 6. Weser can now beat his father.

Since taking lessons from his dad, Weser has been studying with Bruce Pandolfini, a famous chess player who was portrayed in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. Pandolfini has a small group of children who he teaches and Weser starting studying with him when he was 7 years old. Weser is currently studying with a Russian Grand Master.

Weser has been playing in adult tournaments since he was 7 years old and is now winning money in adult chess tournaments. He also won the New York State and New York City championships when he was in third grade. Weser is ranked in the top ten in the country in his age group. Weser has many interests in addition to chess, including playing the guitar and playing tennis. He is also three years ahead in math and is currently taking 11th grade math even though he is in eighth grade.

Weser enjoys the competition, but also likes the friendships that he has made. He now has friends all around the country and his family even keeps in contact with a family in Hawaii. "I keep in touch with people I have met over the Internet and I see them at tournaments," said Weser.

Chess is a family affair for the Wesers - not only do Adam and his dad Michael play, but younger sister Erica, a fifth grade student at Cantiague Elementary School, also enjoys the game. Mom Bonnie provides the emotional support that her family needs during tournaments. Erica recently played in a K-6 tournament and tied for fourth place. Adam, Matthew and Erica also recently played a family tournament and tied for first place.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi will be presenting Weser with a citation this week commending him on his hard work and winning the nationals.