Life
Meet Black Jr, Williams and Colas – chess masters under the age of 14
From left, James Black Jr.,Justus Williams and Joshua Colas. PHOTO: Richard Perry/The New York Times
Fewer than 2 percent of the 47,000 members of the United States Chess Federation are masters, and just 13 of them are under the age of 14.
Among that select group of prodigies are three black players from the New York City area: James Black Jr., Justus Williams and Joshua Colas — who each became masters before their 13th birthdays.
“Masters don’t happen every day, and African-American masters who are 12 never happen,” said Maurice Ashley, 45, the only African-American to earn the top title of grandmaster. “To have three young players do what they have done is something of an amazing curiosity. You normally wouldn’t get something like that in any city of any race.”
