Eleven Lower and Middle School students competed in the 2014 National Junior High Chess Championship which was held here in Atlanta this past weekend. Whitefield fielded two teams, one in the K-8 championship section and the other in the K-8 Under 750 division.
The Under 750 team was led by Jonathan Rhudy (4th) who earned 5.5 points out of seven to tie for 15th place and take 23rd overall on tiebreaks in the section of 355 players. Also contributing to the team score were Jack Krahel (5th) with 4.5 points, and fourth graders Everett Sinclair and Devin Wade. both with 3.5 points. The team was completed by second graders Trey Kantor, Archer McBride, and Walker Paxton. Each of these students was competing at the national level for the first time. They faced challenges including the long time control, with some matches lasting over three hours. The team finished in 14th place, earning a team trophy.
The K-8 championship team was led by Zoe Justice (4th) with 3.0 points, followed by seventh graders Caleb Corliss and Zachary Justice, each with 2.5 points. Caleb took the first place class trophy for under 1100. This team was rounded out by Drew Justice (2nd). Playing in a very tough section, these students battled for hours through seven rounds across three days. The tournament proved to be a test of endurance as well as skill.
Congratulations to the Whitefield chess yeam as they continue to compete at both the state and national level.
The Under 750 team was led by Jonathan Rhudy (4th) who earned 5.5 points out of seven to tie for 15th place and take 23rd overall on tiebreaks in the section of 355 players. Also contributing to the team score were Jack Krahel (5th) with 4.5 points, and fourth graders Everett Sinclair and Devin Wade. both with 3.5 points. The team was completed by second graders Trey Kantor, Archer McBride, and Walker Paxton. Each of these students was competing at the national level for the first time. They faced challenges including the long time control, with some matches lasting over three hours. The team finished in 14th place, earning a team trophy.
The K-8 championship team was led by Zoe Justice (4th) with 3.0 points, followed by seventh graders Caleb Corliss and Zachary Justice, each with 2.5 points. Caleb took the first place class trophy for under 1100. This team was rounded out by Drew Justice (2nd). Playing in a very tough section, these students battled for hours through seven rounds across three days. The tournament proved to be a test of endurance as well as skill.
Congratulations to the Whitefield chess yeam as they continue to compete at both the state and national level.