Congratulations to Madeline Bender! She finished in a tie for 2nd at the 2007 NY State Scholastic Championship with the score of 5-1, just 1/2 point out of first! The only game she lost was to the event winner Dylan. Congratulations to Maddie!
I was just told by Maddie’s Mom that not only her great individual results helped her broke the 1400 mark, her score helped her school Horace Mann capture the first ever State Team Title! Horace Mann won the K-3 and K-6 team event ahead of the powerhouse Dalton, their K-1 team finished 2nd.
Also a big congratulations to Justin Karp for tying for first in the NY K-6 Scholastic Championship! He scored 5.5 – .5 to help Horace Mann capture the K-6 top team trophy!
Congrats to Horace Mann, all their players, coach, parents and supporters!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Way to go Maddie! Chess girls rock! Thanks to Susan for all that you do to encourage our girls and boys to play chess.
Why is the 2nd place finisher getting a headline and not the winner? Is this someone we’d heard of before the tournament and were following?
Actually, there is a headline about the winner posted last night so maybe you should try scrolling down before leaping to conclusions.
I guess Madeline is someone you know, Susan. Of course, it is OK to recognize the achievement of a little girl who you know. It is your blog.
But given the prominence of your blog, it might have been nice to have mentioned who came in first, and who the other child was who tied for second.
To all the anonymous posters whining about Maddie getting the headlines, go back to Sunday and you’ll see Dylan Kosinski the winner mentioned well before Maddie.
I’m very proud of Maddie. She’s played for many years in tournaments that I direct. She’s improved steadily, and this a great accomplishment. She a role model for other girls her age. If one girl sees that picture, and is inspired to stay with chess and work on her game so she can accomplish what Maddie has, then the picture has done its job.
I think Maddie is teriffic. What a winning smile. What a happy girl. So full of joy.
Way to go Maddie. Keep up the great work and keep having fun playing chess or whatever you decide in life.
I am sure your mommy and daddy love you very much. And I can tell you love them too.
nytrigal: Many thanks for you kind words. Maddie loves playing in the tournaments you direct. As you said, we hope that other girls will read Susan’s blog and decide to play chess or stick with chess. nyc chess mom