Oliver Boydell
10-Year-Old Author!
Question: Why care what a 10-year-old thinks about 25 of the most celebrated, classic chess games ever played?
Answer: The 10-year-old is a CHESS PRODIGY!
Imagine knowing what 10-year-old Bobby Fischer thought about the classic games chess he studied–knowing firsthand from Bobby’s own personal notes!
USA National Kindergarten
Chess Champion
Oliver sometimes plays grown strangers in chess hotspots like Washington Square Park in NYC–the pint-sized genius pulling his trademark hoodie down over his head to limit distractions and “keep focused.”
At 5 years old, Oliver Boydell won the USA National Kindergarten Chess Championship.
Now, five years later, Oliver has written a book about the 25 legendary, classic chess games that he found most impressive!
How did that happen? Oliver made good use of his increased at-home time!
Oliver studied many legendary, classical chess games. “I had so many notes from studying them, I decided to write a book.”
He wrote his book about the 25 classic games that taught him the most! Among the players whose games he included in his book are Magnus Carlsen, Mikhail Botvinnik, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Judit Polgar, Akiba Rubinstein, Boris Spassky and many more!
Oliver wrote during the covid pandemic!
Oliver holding his newly published book, He’s Got Moves.
He’s Got Moves
In the extra time with his family in their apartment in New York City during the spring and summer months during the pandemic, Oliver completed his book He’s Got Moves in an amazingly short time.
In his book, Oliver asks the reader questions–and provides the answers at the end of the book. After each game, he gives his favorite move and a list of “Lessons Learned.” A great design for an instructional chess book!
“Chef Oliver” and his mother at Victoria Peak overlooking Hong Kong after a dim sum dinner!
Oliver’s mom, Tiffany, is a 49-year-old attorney who has accompanied her son to chess tournaments across the USA and around the world.
Oliver lives in the Tribeca neighborhood in New York City with his family.
Oliver taught himself to play chess!
Oliver and his father at the zoo.
A Passion for Chess
Oliver Boydell was born in New York City to a Vietnamese mother and an English father.
A National Chess Champion and a New York City Chess Champion, Oliver developed a passion for chess at the age of five.
Oliver taught himself to play by using his iPad! “There wasn’t even a chess set in the house,” his mom Tiffany said.
In November at the 2016 World Chess Championship held in NYC near his home, GM Judit Polgar, arguably the strongest female chess player in the history of chess and a commentator at the event, autographed the iPad that Oliver had used to teach himself chess!
Oliver’s Coaches & Support
Irina Oliver with chess coach Irina Krush and GM Maurice Ashley
Oliver also now trains twice a week with eight-time USA Women’s Chess Champion GM Irina Krush.
Irina Krush said, “I really enjoyed…how Oliver shares his favorite move from each game. Most chess books are written by adults, but it’s refreshing to see these games…through the eyes of a young up-and-coming player.”
GM Maurice Ashley said, “Oliver has taken the classics and put his personal spin on them. This gifted young writer…has a bright future!”
Oliver with chess coach Bruce Pandolfini
In addition, the storied chess teacher Bruce Pandolfini–the Dean of Scholastic Chess Teachers–has coached Oliver for 5 years now.
Bruce said, “Young or old, new to the game or experienced, readers will find Oliver Boydell’s first book…an inspiration.”
Learn the Chess Strategies & Tactics
that
Oliver Boydell
Knows!
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“Knights Battle”
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Beginners & Intermediate Book – Checkmate! Ideas For Students
“Knight Checkmates King!”
Checkmate! Ideas For Students is a workbook for beginning and intermediate students. Checkmate! covers the tactics used in checkmate attacks with clear explanations, diagrams and arrows to pinpoint the key features.
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Intermediate & Advanced Book – Chess Tactics For Students
“Profiles Face-Off in King’s Shadow”
Chess Tactics For Students contains 434 carefully selected problems in worksheet format.
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