I guess there are reasons I’ll never be a great chess player. Probably cause I’m not 11. Anyways, cool story about Kayden Troff.

Eleven-year-old Kayden Troff of West Jordan, one of the top elementary-school chess players in the country recently achieved the rank of mational master and is currently the North American Champion, No. 1 in the world for his age and the top current quick chess player for 13-year-olds and under. (Francisco Kjolseth / The Salt Lake Tribune )

Utah’s own chess phenom is Kayden Troff, and in many ways, he’s a normal 11-year-old boy. He loves to swim, go sledding and play video games.

He’s also the No. 1 chess player in the world in his age group (11 and younger), according to the World Chess Federation, a gold medal winner at the 2009 North American Youth Championship and a member of the 2010 All-America Team. .

Kayden’s latest accomplishment is his biggest yet. In November, the West Jordan boy achieved the rank of National Master, a lifelong title. He is one of two National Masters living in Utah, and one of about 1,500 in the U.S., Nash says.

“Just to give you an idea, Bobby Fischer didn’t make National Master until he was 13,” said Kim Troff, Kayden’s mother. “It never ceases to amaze me. In Germany, they’re talking about him, and in Australia, they’re talking about him. It’s just absolutely amazing. They’re talking about him as the next U.S. superstar.”