Meadowthorpe team crowned state chess champs

Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Tuesday, March 6, 2007

After a decisive victory in double overtime on Saturday, the chess team from Meadowthorpe Elementary School earned the state chess title in the K-5 division on Saturday.
 
Much like the sweet sixteen in basketball, teams earn the right to compete in the state tournament based on their performance in regional competitions. The Meadowthorpe students were a “one seed” coming into the tournament after winning their regional competition.
 
The state tournament includes four rounds, where each member of the four person team goes head-to-head with a student from another team.  Students on each team are ranked and compete with the similarly ranked students on their opposing teams. Winners earn a point a piece; a tie gives each student a half-point.
 
At the end of the four scheduled rounds on Saturday, the Meadowthorpe Elementary team was tied with Middletown Elementary and the two schools were named co-champions. A tie breaker called a “blitz off” – the chess version of sudden death overtime – was then held. After the first blitz off, the score remained tied. During the second overtime, Meadowthorpe defeated Middletown 4-0.
 
Champion team members include fourth- and fifth-graders Kyle Clark, Alice Li, Nick Lingireddy, Brennen Sanders, Eric Xiong and Meghan Waters. The students are coached by Meadowthorpe curriculum coach Michael Price.
 
“What makes this group special is their hard work and dedication, their commitment outside of the classroom and the way they came together to work and support each other as a team,” Price said. “Even thought the competition is made up of individual games, it’s still a team concept.”
 
Nearly 100 students at Meadowthorpe Elementary participate in the school chess club. Students compete to earn a spot on the state competition team.
 
“Chess allows our children to become analytic and reflective thinkers, which prepares them to be problem solvers in the many different situations they come across,” Price said. “They get to utilize their competitive spirit in an academic setting that still requires teamwork and training and practice for success. Just as an athlete would train and lift weights, these kids train by studying drills and boards – it’s training your brain.”