Princeton Middle and High School students showcased their chess skills at the Scholastic Chess Tournament hosted at Princeton High School on Saturday, December 2nd.
Over 200 students from various schools participated in the tournament, with an impressive 17 students representing Princeton. Notably, Princeton boasted the largest contingent of competitors, underlining the school's commitment to nurturing chess talent.
The tournament saw several outstanding performances from Princeton students, with several of them clinching well-deserved medals. In the U700 section, Salomon Roblero-Perez, a middle school student, secured the 8th place. Mason Lim, a high school student, demonstrated his prowess by securing the 2nd position in the U500 section. In the K-6 unrated section, Michael Diego claimed the 7th position, while Landen Metze, another middle school student, also earned a medal.
Each participant engaged in four games, displaying their competitive spirit and enjoyment of chess's intellectual challenge. The event was a valuable learning experience for all, reinforcing the students' understanding of the game.
Accompanying the achievements were moments of triumph and joy, exemplified by a first-time tournament participant. “I used the strategies that my coach taught me - and they worked!” This student applied tactics and beat his opponents in two out of four games in his first tournament. The huge smile and sense of accomplishment on the student's face spoke volumes!
The coaching team, consisting of Arnold Franklin from PHS and Larry Bohman, Todd Vaughn, and Julie Winslow from PCMS, played a pivotal role in preparing and guiding the students.
Coach Franklin added, “It was a great event for the entire district. We had students from all grades competing. It was the largest scholastic tournament ever held by the organization. Big shout out to PCMS chess coaches!!”
The tournament was not just a platform for competition but a celebration of chess as an enriching and empowering educational tool. The success stories of Princeton's students at the Scholastic Chess Tournament exemplify the school's commitment to empowering growth and strategic thinking among its students.
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