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Congratulation to our Current State Champion. Steven Cooklev!

Published on 10/31/2010
BIO submitted by his father Todor: Steven Cooklev is a sophomore at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne. Steven began playing chess at the Berkeley Chess School in Northern California, where he grew up. He has placed among the top at numerous chess tournaments, including a tie for first place in Northern California among seventh-graders in 2007 and eighth-graders in 2008. In 2009 he placed second at the U.S. Junior Chess Congress (14 and under) and U.S. Junior Chess Championship (15 and under). He was one of the most improved chess players in the United States for 2009. In 2010 he won both the Indiana state K-12 scholastic chess championship and the Indiana State Chess Championship. At 15 years of age, he is the youngest Indiana state chess champion in the 69-year history of the tournament. In his free time Steven enjoys playing tennis and being with his friends. He also likes to share his knowledge of chess with other students.