Kayden Troff, a 19-year-old member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from West Jordan, Utah, has decided to set aside his successful chess career for two years to serve a Mormon Mission. Kayden has already won a national chess championship and may go on to win a second this month. He has been playing chess since he was 3 years old and
According to The Washington Times, Kayden has already won a national chess championship and may go on to win a second this month. He has been playing chess since he was 3 years old and has since become a prodigy. He earned the title of grandmaster at the age of 16. He has been offered a full-ride scholarship to play chess at St. Louis University, which he has put on hold for his mission. You can go to his Facebook page to see a video of him opening up his mission call to find out where he’s serving!
Kayden was homeschooled, which allowed him to have enough flexibility in his schedule to hone his chess skills as well as travel to competitions, even if they are on a different continent. The Washington Times explains that he won a gold medal in Slovenia where the 2012 World Youth Championship was held.
Kayden admits to The Washington Times that many of his friends don’t understand his decision to leave on a mission, but it is something that is important to him. He also assures everyone that he is not giving up chess—he’s just postponing his chess career for a while.
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