SAN DIEGO -- A high school sophomore from North County will be the youngest of the nation's best chess players competing for the U.S. Chess Championship crown in San Diego this week.

Elliot Liu, who lives with his parents in Olivenhain and attends The Bishop's School in La Jolla, won the Scholastic Champion of Champions tournament last month, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Now Elliot, 16, will be the youngest competitor participating in the U.S. Chess Championship every day through next Sunday at the NTC Promenade in San Diego. The event features 64 of the nation's best chess players competing for a prize fund of $253,600.

At age 5, Elliott became fascinated with chess after his parents bought him a book about medieval knights that included a chess set.

Whether Elliott wins or loses, he'll receive $2,200 for playing the entire championship. One game can last as long as six hours, and even a minor lapse in concentration can result in losing.

The 2006 U.S. Chess Championship is free to the public and will be held daily through March 12 at the NTC Promenade, 2875 Dewey Road. Matches begin at 1 p.m. daily, and at noon on March 12.