Noah Pang

Freshman carries history of illustrious chess titles

By Vy Vo on 09/14/07 at 12:00 am in Student Life > Interviews > Living and Arts

Noah Pang, freshman, started playing chess at age 5 and stopped at about age 12. He still managed to win nationals for the first 3 years of grade school, competed in international tournaments, and won many other accolades.

He lists his chess accomplishments as if he’s had to run through this list many, many times.

“I represented the U.S. in internationals twice, once at the Royal Championships in Spain, and once at the Pan-American when I was in sixth grade. In ages 8-12 I was in the top 3 highest rated [chess players] in the country for my age. And when I turned 12—I haven’t improved too much since then,” Pang said.

His current ranking score is 2120, which falls into the expert category. Above that, at 2200, lies Master, and at 2400, the elusive Senior Master.

“I’m sort of a failed prodigy in that way…the rating when I was 12 was 2040.”

Clearly his skill hasn’t decreased at all, but Pang insists that the improvement is “an almost negligible amount.” Pang continued to play some chess during high school, though not as frequently.

“It just would’ve taken more work, more energy, and I would have to devote more time to it. I just really didn’t put enough into it. So I didn’t stop playing, but I didn’t study enough, I didn’t play enough.”

Here is the full story.