The Kids of 1987

1987 was a phenomenal year for US chess kids. 

The cherry on top was the result scored by a 6 person team (3 boys, 3 girls) selected to participate in the International Youth and Peace Chess Festival.
This event took place on the campus of the University of Puerto Rico and organized by the Puerto Rican Chess Federation. 222 boys and girls from over 40 nations took part.... the world's crème de la crème.  There were 8 different tournaments, separated by age groups.  The US entered both a boy and a girl into 3 of those groups: 
John Viloria and Susan Urminska in the Under-10,
Robert Setzer and Yvonne Krawiec in the Under-12 
Kangugi K. Karanja and Jessica Ambats in the Under-14. 

note: Daniel Krawiec, Yvonne Krawiec's brother  "participated unofficially in the Under-16 tournament and scored a respectable 5½-4½. Considering his age, he could have played in the Under-14 group."

This small group "garnered the largest number of world titles ever held at one time by this country."

[Chess Life, October 1987]

American Youngsters Win Four World Titles

American junior players won an unprecedented four world championships at the International Youth and Peace Chess Festival, held from July 6 to 22 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is the largest number of world titles ever held at the same time by any group of American players, adult or junior. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that three of the four champions are girls.

Jessica Ambats of New York City scored 6-4 to tie with Cathy Haslinger of England for the Girls' Under-14 title. Haslinger was awarded the championship trophy on tiebreak points.

In the Girls' Under-12 category 11 year old Yvonne Krawiec of Hacienda Heights, California, scored 5½ -4½ to win first place.

And in an unexpected display of raw talent, Susan Urminska of Kapaa, Hawaii, captured the Girls' Under-10. Urminska, age eight, scored 5½ points to tie with Maria Santori of Puerto Rico and was awarded the championship trophy on tiebreak.

The other world title was earned by nine-year old John Viloria of Yonkers, New York. He scored the most impressive American victory by accumulating an overwhelming 9½ points out of a possible 10. Tied for second a full two points behind Viloria were Giovanni Vescovi of Brazil and Igor Martinez of Mexico.

Grandmaster Pal Benko and FIDE master Sunil Weeramantry, who together coached the American squad, both expressed personal delight and professional satisfaction with the high levels of play of the youngsters in this competition. American participation in this event was made possible by the U.S. Chess Federation in conjunction with the American Chess Foundation.

Some games:

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The above photo shows some players of interest  Robert Setzer (whose head is in front of the "7" in 1987), Josh Waitzkin (whose head covers the "a" in National) and John Viloria (Whose head is between the "o" and "n" in National)

This photo heads the article:

All-America Chess Team:  34 With The Right Stuff

  The United States Chess Federation is proud to announce the roster of its first-ever All America Chess Team. Of the more than 11,000 Youth members of the USCF, only 34 have been selected for the 1987 team.
  Youngsters on the All-America Team have demonstrated the potential of achieving the highest honors that the chess world has to offer. They are selected on the basis of their chess rating and according to criteria establishing a sliding scale by age group. Thus, a six-year-old must have a minimum USCF rating of 1400, whereas an 18-yearold must have at least a 2300 rating.
The rating goals were determined by studying the progress of some of America's best chess players — grandmasters such as Walter Browne, Larry Christiansen, Robert J. Fischer and Yasser Seirawan. All were once child chess prodigies. Of course, a child who achieves the rating goals has no guarantee of future success, but early high performance is an indicator of championship potential.
  The USCF had two goals in mind when creating the All-America Team program. First, the Team criteria encourage and reward excellence in chess by establishing a set of objective goals toward which young chess players can strive. Secondly, the team members become role models for the nation's young players. Team members receive an official jacket with the 1987 All-America insignia, and most will doubtlessly wear their jackets to chess events-, thereby inspiring their peers to emulate their example.
  One of the possible benefits of becoming a member of the All-America team is to act as a chess ambassador abroad for the United States. Team members will.be given special consideration whenever opportunities arise to represent the United States in international competition

A much younger Jessica Ambats is also in a photo with Rachel Crotto here: One Small Chess Club in Jamaica

This John Viloria would have to face some paranoia these days.

Why is that?

Many would think he was cheating. 

He was pretty good for a nine year old. 

Not to any degree as far as I can tell. 

Ah...nostalgia. I remember the good ol' days, though I was born in 1994.

Very nice....thanks!

Never gonna give you up was made in 1987

Far more important than this

I played a game against John Viloria in 1991, at the U.S. Amateur Team East.  I remember thinking, "Where have I seen this guy's name before?"  Now I know.  Thanks!

In 1991, Viloria was rated 2188.

His team,  Collins Kids Kings (2171j consisted of Yuri Zaderman, John Viloria, Daniel Benjamin and Dean Ippolito. They scored 5½-½ and won the Top Scholastic Team prize.
"This was quite a feat for the Kings, all of whom are members of the All-America Chess Team. Their average age is just 13!"

Thanks @kamalakanta

Well, aren't you a sweetheart.