Matthew Ho and Alen Melikadamian, both from California, tied for first place at the 2003 United States Cadet Chess Championship, held July 27-31, 2003 at the World Chess Hall of Fame and Sidney Samole Chess Museum in Miami, FL. The top American chess players under the age of 16 as of January 1, 2003 were invited to participate in the tournament. Ho and Melikadamian both scored 3.5 out of a possible 5 points to tie for first place, but Ho received the first prize due to his superior tie-breaks. Ho receives a full tuition four year scholarship to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, subject to meeting and maintaining eligibility criteria.

Igor Schneider of New City, NY finished third with 3 points. Ruixin Yang of Virginia and Alexander Chua of Texas tied for fourth place with 2 points. Fabiano Caruana of New York, NY finished sixth with 1 point.

The World Chess Hall of Fame & Sidney Samole Museum�whose landmark building, sporting a 45-foot rook-tower, is located just off the Florida Turnpike near 152nd St. S.W. in Miami�is the official museum for both the World Chess Federation and the U.S. Chess Federation, the governing bodies of the game of chess for the world and the United States. The Museum�s interactive displays, theatre and collection of personal artifacts from the world�s greatest players tell the story of chess and its masters from its beginnings to modern times.

Melikadamian took an early lead with a draw and two wins in the first three rounds, but this fourth round game moved Ho into a tie for first place:

White: Matthew Ho (2122)
Black: Alen Melikadamian (2109)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cd 4. Nd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 Bc5 7. Nd6 Ke7 8. Bf4 e5 9. Nf5 Kf8 10. Bg5 Bb4 11. Qf3 d6 12. O-O-O Bf5 13. Qf5 Bc3 14. bc3 Ke7 15. Bc4 Qc8 16. Bf6 gf6 17. Qh5 Nd8 18. Bb3 a5 19. Rd3 Qc5 20. Rf3 d5 21. Bd5 Ra6 22. Rd1 Ne6 23. Rfd3 Qa3 24. Kd2 Rd6 25. Ke1 Qa4 26. Bc6 Qc6 27. Rd6 Qc3 28. Kf1 Nd4 29.Rd5 Qc2 30. f4 Rg8 31. g3 Qe4 32. R5d4 Qh1 33. Kf2 1-0

The United States Chess Federation, founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with more than 90,000 members. For more information, please see http://www.uschess.org.