COSTA MESA : Chess Champion, 12, Eyeing U.S. Open Title

Your move.

Check and checkmate, says your opponent, David Rash, 12.

David, who was world champion for his age group four years ago, wants to become the U.S. open champion later this month in Las Vegas and come home with the $36,000 prize money.

He says he has a good shot at winning it all.

David, who has about 200 trophies to prove some of his conquests, has been playing since he was 2. He says his father taught him the game, but he has also received lessons from chess masters. And he says he has beaten some of his teachers.

“Chess is a sport. It isn’t just for dinky kids with glasses,” David said. “It’s all about strategy, but you have to be tough, physically and mentally.”

Practice also helps, he says.

David, a student at Orange Coast College, once played 100 people simultaneously in Laguna Beach. He lost five games.

The key to the game, aside from strategy, is concentration.

“In chess, you can’t talk,” he said. “You can only say two words: ‘Check’ and ‘Checkmate.’ ”

But chess is not the only interest in David’s life. He is studying to become a doctor. In college, he is taking the introduction to college reading and marketing--and enjoying other sports.

“I love basketball, racquetball, swimming, just about every sport,” he said.