On Saturday, Nov. 6 South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) and Mankato Community Education/Recreation (CER) hosted the Fall Chess Tournament at Mankato East High School for students from south central Minnesota. Forty-five students traveled from as near as two blocks and as far as a four hour trek from Sioux Falls to participate in the annual event.

 

Students in grades K-12 competed in primary, elementary, middle and secondary divisions based on grade levels. Avery Javens, a sixth grader from Franklin Elementary in Mankato thinks chess is great.

 

“It’s not your normal board game,” said Javens, “And tournaments are fun!”

 

The Fall Tournament was a Swiss-style tournament in which students are not eliminated. SCSC and CER believe these tournaments foster a competitive spirit without discouraging young players from continuing to play chess.

 

Ashley Alexander, a co-kindergarten teacher at Roosevelt Elementary in Mankato, served as one of many judges for the event. Alexander was impressed with the students’ skills.

 

“It’s cool to see how young they are and already playing chess,” she commented.

 

All players enjoyed a pizza lunch and received a participation certificate. Ribbons were also awarded to students placing first through fourth in their grade level. Trophies were awarded to primary, elementary, middle and secondary division champions.

 

“We are very pleased to offer this exciting opportunity for students in the area. It is an invaluable experience for all,” stated Melanie Schmidt, co-organizer of the event.

 

The partnership between CER and SCSC allows for greater competition at the tournaments. Students from area schools recognize and look forward to rematches with each other.

 

“There is a lot of anticipation for each match and fun chess play,” noted a parent.

 

For more information on chess tournaments or about starting a chess club in your school or community, please contact Mary Hillmann at mhillmann@mnscsc.org or Melanie Schmidt at mschmi3@isd77.k12.mn.us.

 

 

2010 Fall Chess Tournament champions and school districts:

 

1^st – Benny Combs – St. Peter

2^nd – Manu Nair – Sioux Falls

3^rd – Christopher Trettel – New Prague

4^th – Griffin Post – Mankato

 

1^st – Nicholas M. – Apple Valley

2^nd – Neal Anderson – Mankato

3^rd – Benjamin Boorsma – Chanhassen

4^th – Andrew Sandquist – Mankato

 

1^st – Jackson Hillmann – Northfield

2^nd – Steven Colakovic – Mankato

3^rd – Malavika Nair – Sioux Falls

4^th – Avery Javens – Mankato

 

1^st – Orin Gunnell – Shakopee

2^nd – James Skoog – St. Peter

3^rd – Marshall Pederson – NRHEG

4^th – Travis Weirs – Jordan

 

1^st – James Skoog – St. Peter

 

1^st – Orin Gunnell – Shakopee

2^nd – Travis Weirs – Jordan

 

1^st – Marshall Pederson – NRHEG

 

1^st – Jackson Hillmann – Northfield

2^nd – Steven Colakovic – Mankato

3^rd – Malavika Nair – Sioux Falls

4^th – Avery Javens – Mankato

 

1^st – Nicholas M. – Apple Valley

2^nd – Neal Anderson – Mankato

3^rd – Benjamin Boorsma – Chanhassen

4^th – LaGrande Gunnell – Shakopee

 

1^st – Andrew Sandquist – Mankato

2^nd – Grace Hillmann – Northfield

3^rd – Alex Sandquist – Mankato

4^th – Andrick Wagner – Montgomery-Lonsdale

 

1^st – Benny Combs – St. Peter

2^nd – Christopher Trettel – New Prague

3^rd – Tristan Simon – NRHEG

 

1^st – Carter Danielson – Mankato

2^nd – AJ Torfin – Mankato

3^rd – Lane Ahlfstad – St. Peter

4^th – Kayden Johnston – Mankato

 

1^st – Manu Nair – Sioux Falls

2^nd – Griffin Post – Mankato

3^rd – Zachary Kriz – Mankato

4^th – Abbigayle Sandquist – Mankato

 

1^st – Matthew Smith – Mankato

 

 

Tate Alfstad – St. Peter

Kobe Barkmeier – Mankato

Matthew Cherney – Mankato

Sam Coyour – Mankato

Pierre Deutschlander – Mankato

Peter Hillmann – Northfield

Zander Pedersen – Mankato

Joseph Peterson – Mankato

Megan Prigge – Fairmont

Allen Schaffer – Mankato

Tanner Smith – NRHEG

Mikayla Torfin – Mankato

Stephen Whipple – New Prague

Zachary Wickman – Mankato

Raaghav Omprakash – Sioux Falls