On April 27, the St. Raphael Catholic School (SRCS) Chess Club hosted its inaugural open-to-all-schools chess tournament, marking a significant milestone in the club's history.
With 22 schools in attendance and 48 players hailing from as far as Jefferson High School in Virginia, the tournament buzzed with excitement and competitive spirit.
Nine SRCS Chess Club members showcased their skills admirably, delivering stellar performances that culminated in a well-deserved victory.
As a rated tournament, each chessie became an official member in the United States Chess Federation.
Representing the SRCS Chess Club were Keenan, Kyle, Alyssa, Christopher, TJ, Basil, Peter, Fletcher and Dolan, each demonstrating strategic acumen and sportsmanship throughout the event.
Notable mentions go to Keenan, who excelled in Class A with 3.0 points and a commendable 2nd place finish by winning a blitz tiebreaker, while Christopher played very well in Class B with an impressive 3.0 points, and Alyssa played some long and excellent games, winning 3.0 points as well in Class B. Peter's tenacity in Class C earned him 4.0 points and a hard-fought 2nd place after navigating through two blitz tiebreakers; also in Class C, TJ earned a solid 3.0 points. Class D saw Basil and Fletcher shine, each securing 3.0 points with impressive wins. There were five rounds, and each win is worth one point.
The SRCS Chess Club's triumph extended to the team aspect, clinching victory with a total of 10 points. Competitors from St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School put forth a strong performance, securing second place with 8 points.
"As the coach of our chess team, I am immensely proud of our SRCS Chessies for their dedication and achievements," said Kevin Waite. "Congratulations to all on a successful tournament!"
View more tournament photos in the gallery.
