Poll by Dana Mackenzie

Now that Yian Liou won the K-12 section of the CalChess Scholastics in 6th grade, the logical question is "What next?"

Actually, there is precedent: FM Danya Naroditsky won as a 5th grader and then tied for first last year too. This year, Danya sat out to prepare for the Young Stars of the World tournament near St. Petersburg, Russia (May 8-21).

Fellow chess blogger Dana Mackenzie asked the question and provided five choices. I added two more. Which is most likely?

1. Yian Liou wins seven high school championships in a row.
2. He doesn’t win seven in a row because he graduates early.
3. He doesn’t win seven in a row because 2008 champion FM-elect Steven Zierk gets revenge next year.
4. He doesn’t win seven in a row because, by the time he reaches high school, he is already too good to bother with scholastic chess.
5. He doesn’t win seven in a row because by the time he gets to high-school age, there is some other sixth-grader who is even better than he is!
6. (Fpawn) He doesn't win seven in a row because the three retirees FM Danya Naroditsky, NM Gregory Young or NM Nicholas Nip decide to lay down some smack.
7. (Fpawn) He doesn't win seven in a row because completing a good education takes priority over chess.