today as Bermuda's first ever representative at the World Championship of Juniors and Youth in Chess.

Alkon, the son of senior player Brian Alkon, earned the right after showing himself to be a cut above his peers, as evidenced by his winning the local junior (18 and under) title the past four years running and placing sixth at the Bermuda Championship won by Eric Keen.

This will be the first venture overseas by the 17-year-old to an international competition, his only previous experience coming at the Bermuda International Championship, where he has competed on three occasions.

"It's an honour being picked to represent Bermuda and more so to be the first,'' said Alkon, who recently spent two weeks under the tutelage of grandmaster David Norwood with an emphasis on tactics, opening knowledge and end games. "It's certainly going to be quite an experience.

"There has been a lot of change in the Eastern Bloc countries with the removal of communism.

"It should be quite an experience dealing with different people and their cultures.'' More amazing is the fact that Alkon has only been playing for four years, having been introduced to the game by his father.

During that time he has been a member of the Saltus Grammar School team, which he led to victory at the Bermuda Schools competition back in May.

Still this competition is a far cry from anything he has experienced previously with most of the competitors child prodigies, who have turned professional and many have already attained the title of grandmaster.

Two of those likely to be on hand challenging for the title are Konstantin Sakaev of Russia and Romania's Gabriel Schwartmann.

Sakaev won the world under 16 championship three years ago, while the Schwartmann became a FIDE master in 1989 at the age of 13 and has since gone on to capture both the world under 14 and under 16 titles. Last year Schwartmann became an International Master and has an outstanding Elo rating of 2455.

Alkon though heads into the tournament undaunted, regarding it as an ideal moment to improve his game and learn from some of the best juniors the world has to offer.

"I'm not really that nervous,'' said the youngster with a current local rating of 1382. "There will be a lot more experienced players there.

"There's no real pressure on me. I just want to have some good games and maybe win one or two.

"I don't really see myself turning pro. I just like to play, but can't see making it a career.'' Registration for the tournament takes place on Saturday, with the first round starting the next day. Play continues until July 29.