Gregory Young and other CalChess kids win at National JHS in Sacramento!
Posted by (NM Michael Aigner) fpawn on Wednesday, April 04 @ 18:27:40 CDT

For one weekend, the epicenter of U.S. chess moved west of the Hudson River and ended up at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. While school children all around the country learn about Sacramento as the western hub of the Pony Express and the Transcontinental Railroad, for just one weekend it was also home to many of the best young chess players in America. Fortunately, the difference between the 19th century and the 21st century is that a trip from New York City to Sacramento now takes 6 to 8 hours instead of 6 to 8 days!

Several local coaches had long anticipated the invasion of the nation’s top players from New York and other states. They wanted to measure their students up to those representing established names such as Hunter College and I.S. 318. The coaches from California rubbed elbows with their counterparts from the Big Apple: FM Sunil Weeramantry, IM Greg Shahade and WFM Elizabeth Vicary were just three. And while Yankee armada took home more than its fair share of trophies, it is safe to say that the California delegation can hold its head high!

A total of 230 kids from northern California participated in the 2007 National Junior High School Championship on March 30 to April 1, joining a gathering of over 1000 eager youngsters. The CalChess delegation combined for 16 trophies in the two Open sections and many more in the “Under” divisions. The players also brought 23 team trophies home to show off to their school principals and classmates. The largest groups were Joe Lonsdale’s teams from Mission San Jose Elementary (plus Hopkins Junior High) in Fremont and Ray Orwig’s team from Saint Mark’s School in San Rafael. The spirit of U.S. chess is alive and strong in northern California!

Here is the full story by NM Michael Aigner.

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