21-year-old N.Y. man crowned US Chess champion

[May 19, 2009]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A man who won the U.S. Chess Championship when he was just 16 has reclaimed the title at the age of 21.

Hikaru Nakamura (pronounced Heh-CAR-uh NAH'-kuh-muh-rah) won the United States Chess Federation competition Sunday by beating Josh Friedel in the final round of the competition in St. Louis.

He takes home a $40,000 prize.

The chess ace from White Plains, N.Y., first won the title as a junior, breaking every age group record set by famed chess player Bobby Fischer, except that of youngest U.S. champion.

The competition was held over 10 days at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis.

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On the Net:

U.S. Chess Federation: http://main.uschess.org/

[Associated Press]

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