A Knight's Tour: A Young Boy's Journey With Chess

By Kim Kieran

Kim never thought that her son would be gifted and talented, or that it would be a lifelong series of exciting but also exhausting challenges also. Her son learned to read at eighteen months old, and was soon showing his daycare classmates about shapes, colors, and numbers that he learned. One month, afte

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kim Kieran
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869078193

Book preview

Acknowledgments

Many people helped me with this book, and without their help, this book would have just

remained an idea.

Firstly, Daniel Edward and Bruce Reeds, my project directors, were enormous guides and mentors. They kept all of us on task—and there were several workstreams—and working on our respective aspects of the project. From building the team to developing my book covers, proof editing my manuscript, promoting my book, Daniel and Bruce put me in touch with people as needed and made this huge project come to fruition. And they often gave me encouraging pep talks by phone when I didn’t believe in myself. It was great to work with them! Thank you for taking a chance on me!

Eric Seiler from Amazon Publishing Experts. From his initial outreach my text, he started me on the ball to developing this project and put me in touch with Daniel Edward. Thank you, Eric!

Jim Kieran, my husband, was my constant support and encouragement throughout this process. He was my springboard for book ideas, reader of my early manuscripts, and think- er through promotion of the book. In addition, he never made me feel guilty for taking the short break from work to finish this project. You share this with me!

Dan Kieran, my beautiful son. You’re the inspiration for this book. A gifted and talented child, Dan has always given his father and me surprises throughout his life. Whether that be learning how to read before the age of two years old, reading informational plaques at the NASA museum in Washington, DC at 4 years old, complaining about school and activ- ities, or surprising questions and answers—not to mention meltdowns and temper tantrums—Dan has always been a gift to me as a mother. I love all the beautiful challeng- es and rewards that you’ve given me as my child, and I am grateful every day for God’s mercy in assigning me and your father to be your parents. Love you!

Chapter One: At Wit’s End

Kelly Vinh-Monahan watched her son exit his Tae Kwon Do class with a huff, slamming the door. What could be the problem today? She thought. She looked uneasily at her husband, John, who sat in the car with her.

He doesn’t look happy, Kelly said.

Well, let’s just see what he says, replied John. He rarely has a smile on his face when he’s done with a class.

Kelly opened the car door and eyed her son uneasily as he walked quickly into the right back seat and slammed the car door behind him.

Let’s go, Mom, said Max, in a huff.

So, how was class? asked Kelly. You don’t seem too happy. Are you okay? Then came the words she didn’t want to hear.

I don’t want to do Tae Kwon Do anymore, said Max.