Kenny Fong: Hayward Prodigy!

Hayward has produced many highly talented chess players over the years, like Joe Nedham, Ray Schutt, Van Fong, Tim Molter, Lupe Lopez, Robert Martinez, Alan Hawkins, Randy Fong and Frisco Del Rosario; but, only one chess prodigy, Kenny L. Fong. How many times does a great chess talent wither due to lack of a great teacher; probably most. Kenny was lucky enough to connect with Hayward's own Richard Shorman, "Dean of Bay Area Chess", early in his chess career!

His older brother, Randy, started playing in USCF tournaments during the Fischer boom in 1973. Randy's first USCF rating was over 1500. Naturally, Kenny started playing casual chess about the same time; he was 6 years-old. It was about this time that Kenny started going to the Fremont Chess Club with his brother. Richard Shorman, who traveled to all the East Bay chess clubs in search of material for his Hayward Daily Review chess column, undoubtedly took notice of Kenny during this time. In September of 1974, the parents, Ann and Paul Fong, took Randy to play in the 1st Palo Alto Open. Just for fun, Kenny decided to play in the Trophy division. He captured 1st Junior Under 18, with a score of 3-1; he received a trophy and book. Kenny's first rating, as of February 1975, was 1172 / 4; he was 8 years-old. Richard became his coach and Kenny started playing in earnest.

By August 1975, when he enter the US Junior Open in San Diego, his rating was 1272. I'm not sure whether the family celebrated his 9th birthday, which occurred during the tournament, but the present of an under/10 years-old prize wasn't too shabby. When Martin Sullivan (USCF 2134) gave a 18-board simultaneous exhibition at the Fremont Chess Club, Kenny was one of the winners.

Former U.S. Champion, IM John Grefe, gave a 21-board simultaneous exhibition at Logan High School in Union City and scored 20.5-.5. I'm sure Kenny took it as a learning experience.

IM John Grefe (sim)-Kenny Fong

Union City, October 30, 1975

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. a3 Be7 6. g3 Bg4 7. Nbd2 Qd7 8. Bg2 h5 9. h3 Bf5 10. b4 Qe6 11. Bb2 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Nf3 Qd6 14. Nxd4 Bc8 15. Nb5 Qxd1+ 16. Rxd1 Kf8 17. Nxc7 Rb8 18. Be5 f6 19. Ne6+ Bxe6 20. Bxb8 Bxc4 21. Bxb7 Nh6 22. Bxa7 Kf7 23. Rd4 Be6 24. Bd5 Rc8 25. Bxe6+ Kxe6 26. Kd2 Ra8 27. Bc5 Bxc5 28. bxc5 Rxa3 29. c6 Ra8 30. Rc1 Rc8 31. c7 Nf7 32. Rc6+ Ke7 33. f4 g6 34. Kc3 1-0

In November, NM Alan Benson gave a simul at the Fremont Chess Club; Kenny won. An article appearing the the Fremont-Newark Argus newspaper quoted, "It was easy," Kenny says matter-of-factly, "He made a simple mistake."

NM Alan Benson (sim) - Kenny Fong

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Bb5+ c6 5. dxc6 Nxc6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. d3 Bf5 8.Qe2 Bb4 9. h3 h5 10. Bd2 Qe7 11. O-O-O O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. g4 hxg4 14. hxg4 Bxg4 15. Qh2 Nh5 16. Nxe4 Bxd2+ 17. Rxd2 f5 18. Ng5?? Qe1+ 0-1

It was in March of 1976 that Kenny first entered the USCF's 'Top 50 List'. His rating of 1269 put him at number 25 on the Under 13 list.

In April, Kenny tied for 2nd in the Booster section of the Central California Chess Association's 'Under 1800 Amateur'.

Kenny Fong (1236)-Robert Fulop (1360)

Hayward, April 10, 1976

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Qe2 Bxb5 8. Qxb5+ c6 9. dxc6 Nxc6 10. Qxb7 Ne7 11. Qb5+ Nd7 12. Qc4 Qb6 13. Qxf7+ Kd8 14. Ne6+ Kc8 15. Qe8+ Kb7 16. Qxd7+ Ka6 17. Nc7+ Ka5 18. Nc3 Qb7 19. a3 Rc8 20. b4+ 1-0

The Summer was a busy time for him; he placed and won money in the June Hayward Summer Fest, Paul Masson Class Championships and Berkeley Labor Day Championship. By October, his rating had risen to 1488.

In the Fall, he gave several simultaneous exhibitions. The Fremont Chess Club set-up tables in the Fremont shopping center for National Chess Day (October 9th) and Kenny played 60 or 70 people, with only 1 loss. He also gave a 26-player simul at the Parker Elementary School in Hayward; he won all the games. On November 16th, he appeared on the TV show Kidswatch (KRON - NBC); they mentioned his two recent simuls. His new 1623 rating in December placed him at number 7 on the USCF Under 13 Top 50 List. He was 10 years old.

The May issue of the Fremont Newsletter describes how he won the Fremont Chess Club's 1977 Annual Elimination Tournament. "Fremont's annual 'Knockout' Tnmt was won this year by Kenny Fong (1617). The tense elimination tournament, which decreases the field of players in half each round, finally was narrowed down to a two man battle between Kenny and Robert Pellerin (1538). In one corner we had Robert at 5' 11". weighing in at 200 lbs; in the other, Kenny, standing at 4' 5" (with shoes on) and tipping the scales at 65 lbs (after in between meal snacks.) When the dust settled the young upstart hooked his opponents King and was awarded the KO. This final game, which deemed the Ebony Rook to the "kid" is given elsewhere in this issue."

Kenny Fong - Robert Pellerin (notes by Kenny Fong)

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 (I could play 6.h3 etc., but I know more about 6.Be2.) 6... Nc6 7. Be3 (Protecting the pawn because black is going to castle.) O-O-O 8. Nd2 Bxe2 9. Qxe2 Qf5 10. Nb3 e5 11. O-O-O exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Qxc5 15. Rhe1 (The game is now about equal.) Qg5+ 16. Qe3 (Black could have traded Queens and Rooks to have a equal endgame but he took the chance and lost the game.) Qxg2 17. Qxa7 Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 b6 (Protecting mate but makes it easier for me, but anything and everything losses if 18... Qg5+ 19. Kb1 Nd7 20. Qa4 Rd8 (if 20... c6 21.Ne4 Qe7 22. Qa8+ Nb8 23. Nd6+ or 20... Qe7 21. Nb5) 21. Nb5 c6 22. Nd6+ Kc7 (if 22... Kb8 23. Qb4) 23. Nxf7 Qh5 24. Qf4+ Kc8 25. Nd6+ Kc7 26. Ne8+ Kb6 27. Qc7+ Kc5 28. Rxd7 Qxe8 29. Qxd8)19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Qa8+ Kd7 21. Rxd5+ Ke6 22. Re5+ Kxe5 23. Qxg2 Rd8 24. Qg3+ Kf6 25. Qxc7 Re8 26. Qxb6+ Re6 27. Qd4+ Ke7 28. b4 1-0

Hans presenting Kenny with the Ebony Rook trophy!

The Ebony Rook was crafted by master cabinet maker, Hans Poschmann.

On National Chess Day 1977 (October 8th this year), he played 74 people and scored 73-1.

Kenny reached the number 2 spot on the Under 13 list in December. He was now 11 years old.

Kenny and Frisco Del Rosario at the Annual People's Tournament, February 1978

On March 8-10, Kenny went to a training seminar, given by GM Larry Evans, in Reno. On the last day, the Grandmaster gave a simultaneous exhibition. Kenny had never faced any Grandmaster, much less a four-time United States Champion. He was putting in his dues!

Kenny Fong (1608)-GM Larry Evans (2508)

Reno simul, March 10, 1978

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. Be3 O-O 6. h4 e5 7. Nf3 Ng4 8. Qd2 Nxe3 9. Qxe3 Nc6 10. d5 Nd4 11. O-O-O f5 12. h5 f4 13. Qd3 Nxe2+ 14. Nxe2 g5 15. g3 g4 16. Nh4 Qg5 17. gxf4 exf4 18. Kb1 Bd7 19. Rdg1 Rae8 20. Qd2 Rxe4 21. f3 Qe5 22. Nc3 Re3 23. fxg4 f3 24. g5 f2 25. Rf1 Qg3 26. g6 h6 27. Ne2 Qg5 28. Rh2 Qe5 29. Nc3 Re1+ 0-1

First Brownie Invitational (1978) at Marty Sullivan's house in Hayward; Marty won. Brownie was the Sullivan family dog! (Seated left to right: Kenny Fong, NM Marty Sullivan, Kerry Lawless, Bob Phillips. Standing: Randy Fong)

Kenny Fong (1621)-Kerry Lawless (1978)

Brownie Invitational, April 29, 1978 (Notes by Kerry Lawless)

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 (I had specialize in the Danish Gambit for years and thought that I would just outplay Kenny in the opening. I had forgotten that we were both students of Richard Shorman.) 5...d6 6.Qb3 Qd7 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. Ng5 Nd8 9. Nd2 h6 10. Ngf3 Ne7 11. O-O-O Nec6 (With a slight advantage.) 12. Rhe1 Na5 13. Qd3 Nxc4 14. Nxc4 Ne6 15. e5 (Allows 15...d5, closing off white's black squared Bishop from black's kingside.) d5 (Black has the advantage.) 16. Ne3 Bb4 17. Rf1 c6 18. Nd4 b6 19. f4 Bb7 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. f5 exf5 (An improvement was 21...0-0-0; although black is still somewhat better.) 22. Nxf5 O-O-O 23. Qh3 Kb8 24. Qg3 Qc7 25. Qxg7 Qxg7 26. Nxg7 Be7 (Better was 26...c5. Now the position is equal.) 27. e6 Bc8 (An error, 27...Bg5+ was indicated. White is now slightly better.) 28. Rf7 Rhe8 29. Nxe8 {Throws away the advantage. Be5+ was superior.} 29...Rxe8 30. Be5+ Ka8 31. Bf6 Ba3+ 32. Kc2 Bxe6 33. Rc7 Bf5+ 34. Kb3 Re3+ 35. Bc3 Bc5 36. Kb2 (A minor inexactitude. Superior was 36.Re1.) 36...Re2+ 37. Rd2 Re1 38. a3 Be3 39. Rc2 Rf1 (Does nothing but give away some of the advantage. 39...Rd1 threatening 40...d4 is more to the point.) 40. Re2 d4 41. Bxd4 (A needless blunder in time trouble; 41.Bd2 keeps equality.) 41...Bxd4+ 42. Kb3 Bg6 (A counter time trouble blunder; 42...Kb8 keeps the winning edge.) 43. Ree7 Rf8 44. Rxa7+ Kb8 45. Reb7+ Kc8 46. Rc7+ Kb8 1/2-1/2

In his June 25th Hayward Daily Review chess column, Richard Shorman wrote, "Eleven-year-old St. Clemen's pupil Kenny Fong took on the entire class of gifted students at East Avenue School in Hayward June 13. Playing simultaneously against eight opponents at a time, Kenny won 16 chess games in a row in a benefit performance for Ruby Yudacufski, a popular tournament organizer who has contracted cancer of the liver." The Ruby Yudacufski Benefit Fund took in $150. In September, he had the honor of becoming the number 1 player in the country on the Under 13 Top 50 List. He was still 11 years-old. In the Berkeley Labor Day CalChess Class Championship, he tied for 2nd in the Class B section.

Stephen Glass (1780)- Kenny Fong (1782)

Berkeley CalChess Class Championship, September 3, 1978

(Notes by Kenny Fong)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 (The Wilkes-Barre variation.) 5.Bxf7+ (5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7. Kg1 Qh4 8. g3 Nxg3 9. Nxh8 d5 10. Qf3 Qd4+ 11. Kg2 Nf5 12. c3 Qxc4 13. d3 Qh4 14. Qxd5 Ne3+ 15. Bxe3 Bh3+ 16. Kf3 draw) 5... Kf8 (This is not book, but it keeps the element of surprise. Supposedly better is 5...Ke7.) 6. Bd5 (Falls for it. 6. Bb3 Best h6 7. Nf3 Nxe4 Material is equal.) 6... Nxd5 7. d4 (Saves his piece. 7. exd5 Qxg5 8. Qf3+ {8. dxc6 Qxg2 9. Rf1 bxc6 leaving Black a pawn up with a strong attack} 8... Ke7 9. dxc6 Rf8 10. cxb7 {10. Qe4 Bxf2+ 11. Kd1 dxc6 also gives up a pawn with Black still attacking} 10... Bxb7 11. Qxb7 Bxf2+ 12. Kf1 Bh4+ 13. Kg1 Qf4 14. Qf3 Qd4+ 15. Qe3 Bf2+ Wins for Black.) 7... Nf4 8. Bxf4 Bxd4! (8... exf4 9. Qh5 Qf6 10.dxc5 White is OK.) 9. Bc1 Qf6 (Not 9... Bxb2 10. Qh5 and takes the Bishop.) 10. Qf3 d6 11. O-O h6 (Forcing the trade of queens and opening a file for Black's attack.) 12. Qxf6+ gxf6 13. Nf3 Rg8 14. c3 Bh3! 15. Nh4 (Now 15. cxd4 Bxg2 16. Re1 Bxf3+ lets Black double rooks on the open file and ends up a pawn ahead after Nd4 for Black and Bh6 for White) 15... Bb6 16. Bxh6+ (This loses a tempo and opens another file.) 16...Kf7 17. Be3 Rg4 (Getting ready to double the rooks.) 18. Bxb6 Rag8 19. Kh1 (If he tries to save his bishop, he loses the knight, his only king-side defender.) 19...Rxg2 (Keeping his powerful bishop.) 20. Be3 (White cannot play 20. Nxg2 because of Bxg2+ 21. Kg1 Bf3#) 20... R2g4 21. Nf5 Bxf1 22. Nh6+ Ke7 23. Nxg8+ Rxg8 24. Nd2? (Loses fast. Forced is 24. h4) 24... Bg2+ 25. Kg1 Bxe4+ 26. Kf1 Bd3+ (Resigns. Black wins easy after 27 Ke1 Rg1 28 Nf1 Rf1 29 Kd2 Ra1 30 Kd3.) 0-1

In December, soon after his 12th birthday, his rating jumped to 1880. He appeared on the cover of the local chess magazine, Chess Voice.

As usual, Kenny was 1st board for the Fremont Chess Team when it played in the annual CalChess Team Tournament reserve section; the team didn't win, but he received a plaque for the best result on board #1.

Kenny Fong (1880)- Jose Marcal (1818)

CalChess Team Championship, April 29, 1979

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. Re1 e6 8. d4 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. c4 Nde7 11. Ne5 Qxd4 12. Qa4 g6 13. Nc3 Qd8 14. Bg5 Qa5 15. Qxa5 Nxa5 16. Nb5 h6 17. Bf6 Rg8 18. Rad1 1-0

In April of 1979, a chess team from Mexico City, the 34-member tour group of the Instituto Politechnico Nacional, came to the SF Bay Area looking for a friendly match. The hastily thrown together Bay Area team demolish the Mexican team 29.5-4.5. He won on his board. Kenny won the 1979 Fremont Chess Club Annual Elimination Tournament and Ebony Rook trophy...again.

Kenny Fong (1880)- Ernest Curto (1752)

Fremont Ebony Rook Tournament, July 12, 1979

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 Qe7 4. cxd4 Qxe4+ 5. Be3 d5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Bd3 Qe7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Qd8 11. Bg5 c6 12. Qc2 h6 13. Bh4 Be7 14. Re3 Nbd7 15. Rae1 Re8 16. Qe2 Kf8 17. Bf5 g6 18. Bb1 b6 19. Qd2 Kg7 20. Ne5 Nxe5 21. Rxe5 Be6 22. Qd3 Bd7 23. Qf3 Ne4 24. Bxe7 Rxe7 25. Nxe4 Rxe5 26. dxe5 dxe4 27. Bxe4 Rc8 28. Rd1 Qe7 29. Qf6+ 1-0

The Captain Anchovy's Summer Speed Chess Championship was held on July 25, 1979 in San Leandro. Kenny came in 3rd with 8-3; after NM Tom Dorsch and NM Martin Sullivan.

Kenny Fong (1880)- Duane Wilk (1796)

UC Berkeley, September 1, 1979

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be6 6. Ne2 Be7 7. O-O Nbd7 8.Nf4 Nf8 9. Re1 h6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Bf5 Qd6 12. Nxe6 Nxe6 13. Qg4 Ke7 14. Nd2 Rhe8 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nb3 b6 17. c3 Kf7 18. f4 Re7 19. Re3 Rae8 20. Rf1 c5 21.Rd1 a5 22. dxc5 bxc5 23. Nxa5 c4 24. Nxc4 Qc5 25. Qh5+ Kf8 26. b3 Rc8 27. Kf1 Rf7 28. Ne5 g6 29. Nxg6+ Kg7 30. Rg3 Bg5 31. Ne5 Rxf4+ 32. Rf3 Rxf3+ 33. gxf3 Qe7 34. Qg6+ Kf8 35. Rd4 Rxc3 36. h4 Be3 37. Rg4 Qa7 38. Qf6+ 1-0

In September, the USCF decided to send Kenny to the FIDE World Championship for Juniors under 14 years-old. It was held in Durango, Mexico.

Kenny Fong (USA)-David Brates (Guatemala)

Durango U/14 World Junior Championship, October 1979

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Bf4 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Nf3 Nf6 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. Ne5 Ne7 12. Nd2 Ng6 13. Ndf3 Nd7 14. Qc2 Qe7 15. Re3 Ndxe5 16. Nxe5 Rf8 17. Rg3 Bd7 18. Rg4 Be8 19. f4 f5 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Rg5 Kf7 22. Re1 Qd6 23. Re5 Bd7 24. g4 Rh8 25. Qg2 Rh7 26. Rxg6 Rxh2 27. Kxh2 Kxg6 28. gxf5+ Kf7 29. Qg6+ Ke7 30. fxe6 Kd8 31. Qg5+ Kc7 32. exd7 Rd8 33. Rxd5 Qb6 34. Qe5+ 1-0

Kenny Fong (USA)-C. Casique (Venezuela)

Durango, U/14 World Junior Championship, October 1979

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Bc4 Nb6 8. Bb5 d5 9. Nc3 g6 10. Be3 Bg7 11. Qd2 a6 12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. Bh6 Nc4 14. Qg5 O-O 15. b3 Nb6 16. h4 e6 17. Qe3 Ra7 18. h5 a5 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ng5 Kg8 21. Nxh7 Kxh7 22. hxg6+ Kg8 23. Rh8+ {Resigns} 1-0

Kenny Fong (USA)-Miruljub Lazic (Yugoslavia)

Durango, U/14 World Junior Championship, October 1979

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 d5 6. Bxd5 Nf6 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qxd8 Bb4+ 9. Qd2 Bxd2+ 10. Nxd2 Re8 11. Ngf3 Nc6 12. O-O h6 13. Rfe1 Be6 14. Ne5+ Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Rad8 16. Nf3 c5 17. Rab1 b6 18. a4 Bc4 19. Bc7 Rc8 20. Ne5+ Kg8 21. Nxc4 Rxc7 22. f3 Rd8 23. Kf2 Rd4 24. Rec1 Rcd7 25. a5 bxa5 26. Nxa5 Rd2+ 27. Kg1 Ra2 28. Nb3 Nh5 29. g3 Rd3 30. Rxc5 Nxg3 31. hxg3 Rxf3 32. Nd4 Rxg3+ 33. Kf1 Rh3 34. Kg1 Rg3+ 35. Kf1 Rh3 36. Kg1 Rg3+ 37. Kf1 1/2-1/2

First place went to Miroljub Lazic of Yugoslavia won on tie-breaking points with 9-2; second place went to Saeed Ahmad of United Arab Emirates with 9-2. Kenny came in 5th with 6.5-4.5. In his Daily Review chess column, Richard Shorman wrote, "By far the best fought game of the championship was won by Kenny Fong, USA, in an exciting last-round finish verses Saeed Ahmad, UAE." In the same column, Kenny wrote, "This game is the last of 11 played in the first under 14 world championship. Miroljub Lazic (from Yugoslavia) and I were friends after a tough fourth round draw. He was a half point behind my opponent, Saeed Ahmad (from the United Arab Emirates). I wanted Lazic to win the championship, which was an extra incentive to win this game, and Lazic knew I was his only hope. Before the game, my seconds, Mr. Shorman, Mr. Pellerin and my brother Randy, went over all of Ahmad's games with me. Mr. Shorman showed me that he was a very good player and I would have to give my best effort against him. We knew what opening he plays for White, so we looked it up in ECO and saw a profound line (as far as I'm concerned) listed there. The line went to move 13, and our game followed "book" all the way, which meant that I was playing into my opponents prepared opening. All the players and most spectators knew that the outcome of my game would affect the placings in the tournament. If Ahmad won, he would be champion. If he lost, he probably would take second, so he was quite nervous, and I was a little nervous too. Almost everybody at the tournament (including the governor and his wife) was watching our game. This game was played under a lot of pressure and is probably the best in my life. It is poetic that it would come under these circumstances." The spectators clapped after the game.

Last round; Saeed Ahmad (United Arab Emirates)-Kenny Fong (USA)

Robert Pellerin watching.

Ahmad-Fong 0-1, honorable opponents.

Saeed Ahmad (UAE) - Kenny Fong (USA)

U/14 WC, Durango, Mexico, October 12, 1979

(Notes by Kenny Fong)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 (Keeps the game fairly closed and makes his position solid {by having his "e"-pawn protected in case Black wants to break in the center.} However, if Black plays correctly, he gets an equal game.) Be7 (Bad is 4 ... Bc5, for in the middlegame the bishop is locked in and is inactive. Also, 4 ... d5 is no good because of 5. ed Nd5 6.0-0 Bg4 7. h3 Bf3 {if 7. ... Bh5, then 8. Re1} 8. Qf3 Nd4 9. Qd1 b5 10. Bb3 Nb3 11. ab Bc5 12.Nc3 (ECO)) 5. O-O O-O (The move 5. ... d5 is the same, except for the rook on e1.) 6. Nc3 (Transposes into ECO's main line.) d6 7. h3 (Stops ... Bg4.) 6. ...Na5 (Trading bishop for knight and relieving the pressure on the d5 square.) 8. Bb3 (Exchanging the bishop on a better spot {opens a file}.) 8. ... Nxb3 9. axb3 c6 (Finally denying White's knight the d5 square.) 10. Ne2 (The knight is heading for the king side.) 10. ... Ne8 (Getting ready to play ... f5.) 11. g4 {White prevents it.} 11. ... g6 12. Ng3 Ng7 (The end of the ECO line, so from now on I was on my own. With his next move he holds off ... f5 again {13. ... f5 14. gf gf 15. ef Bf5 16. Nf5 Rf5, and Black has some problems.}) 13. Bh6 Kh8 (Reserving the g8 square for the rook.) 14. Qd2 (To play Ng5.) 14. ... f6 (Now he doesn't have any squares leading to the king side.) 15. d4 (Gaining space.) 15. ... Qc7 (In case he took the "e" pawn, I did not want to trade queens.) 16. Kh1 (He wants his king out of the way in case of ... c5.) 16. ... Be6 17. c4 (Advancing and taking more space.) 17. ... Qb6 (But his pawns are a bit vulnerable.) 18. d5 (Gains more room in the center.) 18. ... Bd7 (I almost played 18. ... Qb3?, which loses to 19. Ra3.) 19. b4 cxd5 20. cxd5 (The queen side is immobilized, so now I concentrate on the king side.) 20. ... Rf7 (Preparing for ... f5.) 21. Rg1 a6 (To make sure the queen side is safe.) 22. Ne1 (Maneuvering his knight to e3 to stop ... f5.) 22. ... Rg8 23. Nc2 Qd8 24. Ne3 Bf8 25. Rac1 f5 (Preparation ends and from now on the game becomes open, which works to my favor due to the two bishops and my active pieces.) 26. Bxg7+ Bxg7 27. exf5 (Forced.) 27. ... Qh4 28. Kh2 (Better would be either 28.Rg2 or 28.f3.) 28. ... Bh6 (Pinning his knight at e3 and threatening ... Bf4.) 29. Qe2 gxf5 30. gxf5 (If 30. Ngf5, then 30. ... Bf4 31. Ng3 Rfg7, intending ... Rg4 and ... Bg4 next.) 30. ... Bf4 31. Rc3 (Indirectly protecting the knight on g3.) 31. ... Rfg7 (The fatal blow. Notice how all of White's pawns are isolated {two sets of doubled pawns} and that there are four pawn islands. Also, his pieces are uncoordinated.) 32. Ng2 Rxg3 33. Nxh4 Rg2+ (On account of 34. Kh1 Rh2#. Before move 25 my position looked cramped, and then it exploded. It's strange that my best game is positional, since I am known as a tactical player.) 0-1

Hayward Daily Review, October 15, 1979

In a letter to Allen Kaufman, Executive Director of the American Chess Foundation, Robert Pellerin, founder of the Fremont Chess Club, wrote about funding a trip to Yugoslavia, "Kenny's family situation is typically oriental, meaning that he has to pay his own way in chess, including his entry fees to local tournaments, and has had to rely upon his winnings to cover the expense of most of his books and equipment. At 13, he earns income toward a higher education by working at his parents' flower shop, and they are hardly of a mind or in a position to finance a non-vocational career for their son. In fact, Kenny's chess lessons up to this point (since he was eight) have been given without charge, else he would not have been able to afford them. I am enclosing some newspaper clips describing Kenny's exploits in Mexico and a chess column by his teacher containing the results of the championship and Kenny's best game, with his own notes" Robert's attempt to secure complete funding from the American Chess Foundation was unsuccessful.

In the Berkeley's "A Piece of the Action" Tournament on January 1980, Kenny tied for 2nd in the 'A' section.

Kenny Fong (1836)- Zoran Lazetich (1912)

UC Berkeley, January 5, 1980

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 d6 6. Nf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. O-O Be7 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 b6 11. Re1 O-O 12. Qc2 g6 13. Bh6 Re8 14. Re4 Bf8 15. Qd2 Bg7 16. Rh4 Bh8 17. Bg5 f6 18. Bxg6 fxg5 19. Bxh7+ Kf8 20. Nxg5 Ke7 21. Be4 1-0

(Article from Chess Life, February 1980)

Kenny received another Special Trophy Award for Best Junior (Under 14) at the February 16-18 Berkeley People's Chess Tournament. The CalChess Team Championships were held on April in Fremont. Kenny won a Hans Poschmann plaque for the best performance on 3rd-board of the San Leandro Captain Anchovy Team.

May 24-26 saw Kenny score 4-2 in the LERA Memorial Day Championships, in Sunnyvale, to tie for 2nd in Class 'A'.

Kenny Fong (1977)- Romulo Aguilar (1826)

LERA Memorial Day, May 24, 1980

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 d6 5. Bc4 Be6 6. Bxe6 fxe6 7. Qb3 Qc8 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Ng5 Nd8 10. f4 Be7 11. O-O Bxg5 12. fxg5 Ne7 13. Nb5 Ng6 14. Qc3 Kd7 15. Qxg7+ Kc6 16. Nd4+ Kb6 17. a4 a5 18. Be3 c5 19. Nb5 Qc6 20. Rad1 Qxe4 21. Rxd6+ Nc6 22. Qc7+ Ka6 23. Bxc5 1-0

Kenny Fong (1977)-James Slouber (1736)

LERA Memorial Day, May 26, 1980

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be2 e6 8. Nc3 Bb4 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nf6 11. Ba3 Qa5 12. Qb3 O-O-O 13. Rab1 Rd7 14. Bb5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qc7 16. Qa4 Nd5 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Bc5 Nxc3 19. Qa6+ Kd8 20. Rb6 Ne2+ 21. Kh1 Nxd4 22. Bxd4 Rxd4 23. Rxc6 Qf4 24. Rc8+ Kd7 25. Qb7+ Kd6 26. Qc7+ 1-0

Kenny Fong (1977)-Charles Bradshaw (1771)

LERA Memorial Day, May 26, 1980

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Bb4 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Ng8 8. Nf3 d6 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Qh5+ Kf8 14. Ba3 c5 15. Bxc5 1-0

In July of 1980, Kenny played two games with George Koltanowski which were televised on an ABC special. After a draw and loss, Kenny said, "I learned a lot from him, especially how to play against the Colle System." (From left to right: George Koltanowski, unknown, Mrs. Annie Fong and Kenny.)

July 22, 1980 article from the Hayward Daily Review

Kenny at John Collins house in New York. It was a tradition for visitors to rub the ox for luck!

Speed chess with John Collins.

Evenly matched?

Kenny and Randy outside the Marshall Chess Club.

Randy and Kenny inside the Marshall Chess Club.

Kenny watching Richard Shorman taking photo of John Collins.

Kenny playing skittles with team.

More skittles!

In October, with a rating of 2027, he was number 9 on the U/16 Top 50 list.

Pamela Ford (1989)-Kenny Fong (2049)

Berkeley People's Tournament, February 16, 1981

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5 Bc5 6. Qf3 Nf6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O Nd4 9. Nxd4 Bxd4 10. c3 Be5 11. g3 Qh3 12. Re1 Re8 13. Qg2 d5 14. exd5 Qh5 15. Be2 Bd6 16. Be3 Qxd5 17. Bd4 Bg4 18. Bxf6 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxe2 20. Bd4 Bf3+ 21. Kf1 Bg2+ 22. Kxg2 Rxe1 23. c4 Rd1 24. Bc3 Rc1 25. b3 Be7 26. Bb2 Re1 27. Nc3 Rxa1 28. Bxa1 Bf6 0-1

The 6th Annual California Scholastic Championships were held on March 28-29, 1981 in Sunnyvale. The were 139 players from 38 schools. Kenny Fong (Moreau High in Fremont) tied for 2nd in the Varsity section with 4.5-.5.

Despite losing to Jeremy Silman (2490), Kenny made a 3.5-1.5 score at the LERA Memorial Class/Open on the May 23-25 weekend. He beat Alan La Vergne (2274) to end up with a 2100 rating.

In the Fremont Chess Club Newsletter for June 1981, Hans Poschmann wrote, "A fortified Fremont Team with Martin Sullivan, Kerry Lawless, Kenny Fong and Jon Wooley captured the perpetual trophy in the Premier Division of the CalChess Team Championship against strong opposition from the South Bay. Martin, Kerry and Kenny also received plaques for Best Board 1, 2 and 3."

In June, Kenny won the Fremont Chess Club Championship with a 10-0 score. He received the Hans Poschmann crafted trophy for a year.

Hans Poschmann (1779)- Kenny Fong (2121)

Fremont Chess Club Championship, June 1981

1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. c4 O-O 5. Nf3 Re8 6. e3 Nc6 7. Bb2 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9. Be2 Qd6 10. O-O Bf5 11. a3 Ba5 12. d3 Rad8 13. e4 Nf4 14. Nh4 Bc8 15. Bg4 Qxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxd3 0-1 (White resigned on move 29)

In July, Kenny was in a six-way tied for the 1st Expert prize in the Stamer Memorial; won the Fremont Chess Club Annual Elimination Tournament and Ebony Rook, again.

In August 1981 at age 14, Kenny scored 7.5 points in the Palo Alto US Open; his rating jumped from 2155 to 2213 on the USCF crosstable. His official National Master rating came out in November, along with his NM certificate; he was 15.

On December 25-27, 1981, at the San Jose State University Annual, Kenny came in 3rd, behind GM Peter Biyiasas and IM Jeremy Silman, with a score of 4.5-.5

In January, his 2213 put him at number 7 on the Top 50 U/16.

Kenny tied for 1st Expert with Kevin Binkley in the May 1982 San Jose State University Open.

Jeremy Silman (2556) - Kenny Fong (2221)

LERA, July 1982

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nge2 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8.O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. a3 Be7 11. Qd3 b6 12. Rd1 Bb7 13. Ba2 h6 14. Qh3 Bd6 15. Nf4 Qb8 16. Nfe2 1/2-1/2

In August 1982, Kenny won a clear 2nd, behind IM Ian Rogers, in the San Jose City College Open, Master section, with a 5-1 score. His rating jumped to 2244.

Kenny had a slight setback in March 1983 when he played in the CalChess Master's Open. He only scored 4-5.

On July 30-31, 1983 Kenny won the 4th Board prize in the Premier Division of the CalChess Team Championship.

Kenny won 1st Expert in the September 3-5, 1983. LERA Labor Day Class Championship. He had temporarily dropped down into the Expert section again with a 2199 rating. As the tournament was using the July Rating Supplement, his 15-16 year-old Top 50 listing was 4th place; he was 16 years old. He also won the $25 Expert Brilliancy Prize for his game with Antonio DeLacruz.

[Antonio DeLacruz (1995)-Kenny Fong (2199)

LERA Labor Day Championship, September 3-5, 1983

1. d4 e6 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 b6 4. Nd2 Bb7 5. Ngf3 Be7 6. Bd3 d5 7. Ne5 O-O 8. g4 Nfd7 9. h4 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Nd7 11. Bg3 c5 12. f4 Nf6 13. Qf3 c4 14. Bxc4 dxc4 15. Qxb7 Nxg4 16. Qf3 f5 17. c3 b5 18. a3 Rc8 19. h5 Qa5 20. Ke2 Qb6 21. Nf1 a5 22. Nh2 Nf6 23. Be1 b4 24. axb4 axb4 25. Rg1 bxc3 26. Bxc3 Bb4 27. Qg2 Rc7 28. Rgb1 Rb7 29. h6 g6 30. Bxb4 Qxb4 31. Qc6 Qb3 32. Qxe6+ Rbf7 33. Nf1 Qc2+ 34. Nd2 Qd3+ 35. Ke1 Re8 36. Qxc4 Qxe3+ 37. Kd1 Ng4 38. Ra7 Qe1+ 39. Kc2 Ne3+ 40. Kc3 Qxd2+ 0-1

Kenny Fong (2199)-Jeremy Silman (2487)

LERA Labor Day Championship, September 3-5, 1983 (Notes by Silman.)

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 e6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Be7 9. Nc3 Qd6 10. Bg5 O-O 11. Rc1 Rd8 12. Ne2 Nd5 13. Bb1 h6 14. Bxe7 Ndxe7 15. Qc2 f5 16. a3 Bd7 17. b4 Nd5 18. Qb2 Rac8 19. Rfd1 Be8 20. Ng3 Kh8 21. h3 Nf4 22. Ba2 Ne7 23. Ne5 Neg6 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Bb3 Kh7 26. Nc4 Qc6 27. Ne3 Qc3 28. Qa2 Bd7 29. d5 e5 30. Ngxf5 Nxg2 31. Kxg2 Bxf5 32. Nxf5 Nf4+ 33. Kg1 Qf3 34. Nh4 Qxh3 (Missing the obvious 34... Ne2+ 35. Kf1 Ng3+ 36. Ke1 Qe4+ 37. Kd2 Qe2#) 35. Bc2+ Kh8 36. Be4 Qg4+ 0-1 (I won the $25.00 {Master} brilliancy prize for this game.)

In November, Kenny regained his Master rating with 2215 points. Now 17 years old and number 11 on the Top 50 ages 17-18, he continued to play during the first half of 1984. He ended up with a 2234 rating and then, stopped playing entirely. After graduating from high school he acquired an MBA in Marketing and Finance and is currently the General Manager, Americas for Enphase Energy.