Hi! I’m Oliver. Thank you for visiting my site. There are lots of things that I like doing, but chess is my favorite. My Mom tells me that I taught myself how to play when I was five years old. I was instantly hooked. Chess excited me and it didn’t take long before I started playing in tournaments, which I absolutely loved. I think everyone should know not just how to play chess, but how to play it well. That’s how I ended up writing two books (so far) about chess! I wanted to share not only my passion for the game, but also my tips for winning. Most of all, I hope my books inspire you!
BIO
Oliver Boydell was born in New York City to a Vietnamese mother and an English father. A two-time National Chess Champion and a New York City Chess Champion, Oliver developed a passion for chess at the age of five. He started competing in chess tournaments during the same year and is a regular contender at New York City, New York State, and National Scholastic Chess Championships. Oliver endeavors to become a chess Grandmaster. He loves sports, especially playing soccer and skiing down double black runs with his older brother Sebastien. Oliver is 13 years old and lives in New York City with his family.
OLIVER’S FAVES
City: New York City
Food: Mango
Beverage: Lemonade
Season: Spring
Subject: Chess
Sport: Soccer
Song: High Hopes
TV show: Survivor (love the strategies!)
Movie: Despicable Me
Book: Refugee by Alan Gratz
Chess piece: King
Color: Red
Animal: Panda
Time of day: 4pm
PHOTOS
Oliver with George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America. November, 2021
How A King Plays: 64 Chess Tips from a Kid Champion on Display in Times Square! November, 2021
Oliver shares Chess Tips with George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America. November, 2021
Oliver records the audiobook for “How A King Plays” in a recording studio in New York City. September, 2021
Oliver answers chess questions during an interview at Washington Square Park in New York City. April, 2021
Oliver rappels down steep rocks surrounded by rushing waterfalls in Mexico. August, 2021
Oliver (in white) ziplines on a board high above a jungle in Mexico with his cousins, Reagan and Robbie. August, 2021
Oliver takes in the fresh air on the slopes at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. March, 2021
Oliver practices on the chess board that was gifted to him by Good Morning America during his appearance on the show. December, 2020
Oliver attends the North American Youth Chess Championships in Mexico. At this tournament, he competed against players from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. November, 2018
Oliver attracts a crowd of onlookers in New York City’s Union Square, as he practices his moves against players many times his size. March, 2017
Oliver gets ready for some chess at the legendary Marshall Chess Club in New York City’s Greenwich Village. May, 2018
Oliver was crowned New York City Champion at the Kasparov Greater New York Scholastic Chess Championships. February, 2017
Oliver with GM Maurice Ashley and GM Irina Krush at the Charity Chess Championship in New York City. May, 2018
“Chef Oliver” enjoys the spectacular views of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak after an earlier visit to a fabulous dim sum restaurant with his mother, Tiffany. And yes, the food was amazing. August, 2019
Oliver and his dad Paul at the Charles Darwin Research Station on the Galápagos Islands. July, 2019
Oliver, at home in New York City, displays his collection of chess boards. His favorites include a board signed by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov and another autographed by the U.S. Chess Champion Fabiano Caruana. September, 2018
Oliver and his big brother Sebastien go for a hike on Santa Cruz Island, which was full of black rocks. July, 2019
Oliver plays chess against GM Judit Polgar (Oliver is in white directly across from Judit) at the Global Chess Festival at the United Nations in NYC. March, 2017
Oliver and his chess coach NM Bruce Pandolfini prepare before the next round of competition at the 2019 National Elementary (K-6) Championship in Nashville. May, 2019
Oliver gets ready to enter the venue for the World Cadet Chess Championship in Weifang, China. August, 2019
Oliver visits the magnificent Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) in Hong Kong, one of the largest seated Buddhas in the world. August, 2019
Oliver takes a break between chess rounds, with NM Bruce Pandolfini (left) and FM Mike Klein (right) at the 2019 National Elementary (K-6) Championships, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. May, 2019
Oliver receives a medal at the 2019 National K-12 Grade Championships in Orlando. December, 2019
Surf’s up! Oliver (3rd from left) takes a surf lesson on South Padre Island in Texas with his older brother, Sebastien, and his cousins, Reagan and Robbie. June, 2018
Oliver takes in the Pacific Ocean during a break from competition at the North American Youth Chess Championships in Mexico. November, 2018
