Webster University Wins Final Four in College Chess
Posted on: 9:23 am, April 9, 2013, by Vera Culley
(KTVI) – St. Louis is home to some National Champs! Over the weekend, Webster University won the President’s Cup, also known as the Final Four of Collegiate Chess. The competition was held in Rockville, Maryland.
What makes it even more amazing is this is the first year Webster has had team. The team has been ranked #1 since August when it was formed.
Webster has eight grand masters on its team. Six of those grand masters went to the Final Four. Four of them are freshmen.
The team’s coach, Susan Polgar was named “College Chess coach of the year” at the awards ceremony Sunday.
Find out more: http://www.webster.edu/spice
Video here: http://fox2now.com/2013/04/09/webster-university-wins-final-four-in-college-chess
Why does it say “Washington” ????
Next year Texas Tech will win because they’ll have Nakamura, Kamsky, and Shulman.
Where does it say Washington?
to Anonymous @ 2:22:00 PM CDT
the original text over the video window said “Washington University…”
looks like it was changed
Webster U laid out a blueprint on how to be a chess champ. Just like in a typical NCAA basketball fashion, it boils down to recruiting the best players available out there.
The only difference in chess, it is not a popular sport in the US, so what Webster did was to recruit from all four corners of the globe in exchange for scholarships. If others follow same model, they can do the same by recruiting young talents overseas such as Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, David Navara, Fabiano Caruana or Sergey Karjakin.
The only obstacle they face is if these youngsters are willing to stay in the US. Take note, the one I just mentioned are considered ‘treasure’ in their respective countries and don’t need the US to pursue their goals. Susan Polgar being a great coach, had lured the best available there is. Next school year, another 2700+ player in Le Quang Liem from Vietnam will beef up the Webster U team. They will be stronger than ever with that vaunted line-up.
Credit to the Coach, to the well-placed program + all-out support from the University President and Administration officials are the key to make up a successful and championship team.