ADAMS TWP — An Adams Elementary School second grader has all the right moves, and the trophy to prove it.

Luke Weiland won his division in the 2011 Summer Chess Challenge, held Aug. 20 at Pittsburgh Urban Christian School in Wilkinsburg.

Luke's mother, Leslie Weiland, explained the beginner category contained 20 competitors up to seventh grade. She said Luke played and won four games, competing against two fifth graders, a seventh grader and a third grader.

She said each time a player won, they would face a harder opponent in the next game.

“Nobody wanted to play him when they saw he kept winning,” Weiland said.

Weiland said Luke was the only undefeated winner in any of the four categories, and he did it all while standing.

“I don't know if he was nervous because he kept winning or if it was just so he could see the board,” she recalled.

Luke on Friday recalled his feelings when he was handed the trophy.

“I was thinking I did a really good job,” he said. “I did the best of all the kids.”

Leslie Weiland said chess players, including youth players, receive annual rankings based on the opponents they face. She said Luke had 300 points before the event, and earned 300 more because of his undefeated status.

“Most youth players earn about 100 points a year,” Weiland said.

Weiland said she took Luke out for dinner as a reward for his win, then proudly placed the large trophy he received on the mantel.

“He said, ‘I knew I could beat those kids,'” she said.

Weiland said chess is so popular in Europe that top players are hounded by the paparazzi. She said many competitors at the August event spoke in the native tongues of Russia, India, China and Japan.

Weiland taught Luke to play chess when he was 4 or 5 years old.

“I quickly realized he was good,” Weiland said.

She enrolled him in chess lessons at Pine-Richland High School last year, and the instructor was amazed at the youngster's prowess.

“He said he really has a lot of potential,” Weiland said, and pointed to her son's natural proclivity for mathematics as the reason for his success.

Luke said he is not different from other second graders.

“I like video games and stuff too, but chess I like a little more.”

Luke's twin brother, Cam, and sister, Sydney, are thrilled at their sibling's strategic skill.

Sydney, 12, said she plays chess with Luke when he can't find any other opponents.

“Sometimes I beat him,” she said. “Luke is really smart, so I think chess is good for him.”