Young chess master heading to nationals

Tatum Ranch mom Holly Buss has a chess‑master son and she wants everybody to know it–or at least offer some sponsorship help.         

Eight‑year‑old Matthew Buss recently took first place out of 137 players in the K‑3 division of the “March Madness” chess  tournament held March 10 and qualified for the U.S. National Elementary Chess Championship May 11‑13 in Nashville.

Holly Buss wrote in to tell us if any businesses are interested in buying a sponsorship to help defray trip costs, they should call her at (480) 585‑3802.

The championship tournament will feature seven, two‑hour rounds of competition, something Matthew is used to by now. The chess prodigy has won seven other trophies in local competitions over the last two years, and according to his  mother, the second‑grader at Scottsdale Christian Academy also enjoys playing team, Bughouse, and online chess.

BELIEVE IT OR not, it’s already time to begin thinking about registration for youth football season.

The Cave Creek/Carefree Youth Football and Cheer league will begin registration for the 2007 season April 14 and will continue throughout the summer.

Programs offered are tackle football (ages 8‑14), flag football (6‑8) and cheerleading (5‑14). Fees are $85 for flag football  and $100 for cheer. Tackle football starts at $135 and registration goes up $10 each month through July. Each program also has an association fee due around Aug. 25.

All registration will take place at Black Mountain Elementary School’s cafeteria at 33606 N. 60th St. Registration dates are April 14, May 12, June 9 and July 14 and will be held from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participants must bring an original and two copies of a certified birth certificate and two copies of a utility bill showing residence.

More information is available at cavecreekfootball.com.

If you would like to reach the reporter, or submit a local sports item of interest, via e‑mail, or call (480) 488‑1204, or visit the office at 25 Easy St. in Carefree.