LEUKEMIA DOESN'T STOP CHESS PLAYER SEAN, 11, TEAM 2ND IN NATIONALS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Sean Reader is in the habit of being on the attack.

In the game of chess, where a player anticipates two, three or four moves ahead of his opponent, being on the attack is a matter of fact.

So when 11-year-old Sean learned he had leukemia one week before he was about to participate in the National Chess Tournament in Tennessee, the sixth grader from Meadows Elementary School knew that in life, as in the game of chess, you make decisions to win or lose.

He chose to win.

``When the doctor told us about Sean, we had planned to cancel going to Nashville,'' said Chan Reader, Sean's father. ``But the doctor said it was a choice Sean had to make. He wanted to go.''

That tenacious personality has helped Sean become a successful chess player, said Jay Stallings, coach for the Meadows Elementary Chess Team and director for the California Youth Chess League.

The team tied for second place in the nationals, and Sean placed 30th out of 200 players.

For a child to endure seven games that average almost three hours each during the national championships shows mental endurance and heart, Stallings said.

``He's a good kid and he worked hard for his team,'' Stallings said. ``I certainly want him to receive his kudos.''

The team of four from Meadows Elementary participated in intense practice sessions before the nationals, the coach said.

``The kids have been practicing all year in preparation, meeting on Sunday mornings, taking evening classes and doing extra homework,'' Stallings said.

Along the way, they competed in Arizona in November, in Florida in December and in San Diego in February. They became strong contenders, playing only in the championship portion during the nationals.

But during that time, Sean felt ill, his fever rising sometimes, his body weakening.

Still, he pushed on, Stallings said.

Sean has been playing since kindergarten, beginning in an after-school program and improving each year, Stallings said.

Sean, who was quietly resting last week after chemotherapy sessions, said one of the best things about chess is that it helps him focus his attention away from his illness.

``I like having to strategize,'' he said quietly from his hospital room at UCLA Medical Center. ``If you like to think, it's a good game.''

His dad said the game has helped his son with self-esteem and given him a sense of team spirit.

Stallings said the team is rallying around Sean to help him keep a positive outlook.

``He's been an inspiration to the other kids,'' Stallings said. ``They all knew he was sacrificing his last weekend to be out before his immune system gave out, to go to Tennessee.

``Throughout the game, in crucial moments, Sean would give them a pat on the back and say, `Play your best,' and it really helped.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com