Lane Tech sophomore is Chicago’s only national master chess player under 18

Avi Kaplan, 16, practices at Lane Tech College Prep High School. In October, he attained the rank of national master by achieving a rating of 2,200 from the U.S. Chess Federation. Another goal: becoming a grandmaster. (Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times)

As a “national master” in chess, Lane Tech College Prep High School sophomore Avi Kaplan is in rare company.

Kaplan, 16, is the highest-rated chess player in Chicago Public Schools — and one of just 113 national masters under the age of 18 in the U.S. He earned his title from the U.S. Chess Federation at the 30th Annual Midwest Class Championship, which was held in the fall in Wheeling.