The Whitefield chess team picked up another championship by taking first place in the K-5 section of the inaugural GISA Chess Tournament held on April 20 at Marist.
The team of fifth-graders (Efetobo Aror, Nate Jones, Drew Justice, Archer McBride, Walker Paxton, and Christian Wiggins) finished with 21 out of a possible 24 points, losing only two games against players from the other private schools in the competition. Leading by two points going into the final round, Whitefield was paired against second-place Trinity in three matches. Walker (fourth place) quickly upset the second highest-rated player in the tournament, while Nate (third place) and Christian were able to prevail on their boards and secure the title for the team. Efe and Drew, who were the only undefeated players remaining in the tournament, drew against each other in the last round, which led to a five-minute blitz playoff for the individual championship. Drew, who won the coin flip for color and elected to play with the white pieces, was able to mount a strong attack and defeat Efe on time while all the other players in the competition looked on.
The team of fifth-graders (Efetobo Aror, Nate Jones, Drew Justice, Archer McBride, Walker Paxton, and Christian Wiggins) finished with 21 out of a possible 24 points, losing only two games against players from the other private schools in the competition. Leading by two points going into the final round, Whitefield was paired against second-place Trinity in three matches. Walker (fourth place) quickly upset the second highest-rated player in the tournament, while Nate (third place) and Christian were able to prevail on their boards and secure the title for the team. Efe and Drew, who were the only undefeated players remaining in the tournament, drew against each other in the last round, which led to a five-minute blitz playoff for the individual championship. Drew, who won the coin flip for color and elected to play with the white pieces, was able to mount a strong attack and defeat Efe on time while all the other players in the competition looked on.