Fourth Grader Wins Chess Tournament
Updated on Monday, 24 February 2014 12:49
Written By Paul Wallem Campbell

County’s newest chess champion is a fourth grader from Hillcrest Elementary School. On February 15th, third through sixth grade students from 4 schools competed in a chess tournament hosted by John Paul 2 Catholic School. Daniil Prigarin won six match-ups, including his final in the last second, to take home the trophy.

“I looked at the table after my last move; it was check mate. I won in the last second.”—Prigarin

Daniil played in chess tournaments for years in Russia before relocating to Gillette in the summer of 2013. Instructor Renee Conklin says Daniil has adjusted well to his new surroundings and has provided motivation to the chess players who were already at Hillcrest.

“We’ve enjoyed having him. It has been fun for him socially to interact with the other kids. He as probably never lost to a kid in our classroom, and they know that about him. And that is the goal for most of them; to beat Daniil.”—Conklin

Hillcrest Elementary has had a chess club for years, and this year, they have begun to host tournaments with other schools. The director of the tournaments, Craig Skinner, has plenty of experience directing them. Skinner is the former president of the Kansas Chess Association. His wife, Tammy Skinner, in a Hillcrest instructor, and says they began expanding into tournaments by inviting their neighbors at John Paul 2 Catholic School to join them.

“We started out with John Paul because they are close to us. We knew there would be an interest with parents and students at that school. And then we also talked to Buffalo Ridge Elementary.”—Skinner

Paintbrush Elementary and Pronghorn Elementary have also joined, and other schools are expressing interest. The date of the next tournament has not yet been set, but Daniil, who also plays hockey locally, hopes he’ll be able to defend his championship.

“I will try to win (the) championship, first place again.”—Prigarin

Source: http://www.basinsradio.com

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