We are the Champions! Speyer Chess Captures An Amazing FOUR National Championships and TWO City Championships

Speyer Chess came, saw, and conquered to end 2018 and ring in 2019. With determination, grit, and teamwork, our players competed in round after round, game after game…and the end result? An amazing FOUR National Championships and TWO City Championships! Amazing is truly the only way to describe this feat for a school in its 10th year!

First up was the US Chess 2018 K-12 National Championships, held December 14-16, 2018 in Florida! With only 23 players fielding five teams, they captured FOUR – count ‘em, FOUR! – National Championships! This year, more than 1,700 students from 40 states representing 655 teams competed in seven rounds to determine individual and team champion. It was an incredible weekend of camaraderie, concentration, teamwork, and laughter with our students, who were joined by supportive parents and Speyer’s fantastic coaches.

The Speyer teams demonstrated they are fierce competitors at the highest level of play, being in contention for the national grade championships and blitz championship up to the final round. The difference between the national champion and the next few places was separated by as little as a half point. So many players fought hard to play their best, often with games lasting over three hours! The tenacious character of Speyer's players emerged, playing round after round against opponents with higher ratings. In true Speyer spirit, they stuck with it and went the distance.  

On the heels of the success on the national stage, Speyer Chess brought their game play to the local level at the 53rd Annual Greater New York Scholastic Chess Championship. Trekking over to the Brooklyn Marriott, our Speyer players and 1,500 other chess competed in the two-day event on January 5th and 6th, each playing six rounds where games can last more than two hours. 

And drum roll please: Speyer won two City Championship titles! Our K-3 team is the Primary Champions and the K-5 team scored the top spot as Elementary Champions. Our 6-8 team also rocked the tournament, coming in 2nd place in the Junior High division.

So, City and National Championships…that only leaves State! Stay tuned for that later in the Spring!

Congrats to all of our players and a huge special thanks to the supportive parents and of course, coaches Sean, Milos, and John for their efforts in coaching, checking games, motivating players, and encouraging the teams at both events!

US Chess 2018 K-12 National Championships RESULTS

Team Winners

2nd Grade – National Champions!
Jordy L., Seann D., Joshua G., Julian L., Maddie C.

3rd Grade – National Champions!
Oliver B., Jasper H., Kulyan B,  Eli B., Sophie K., Reese R.

4th Grade – 6th Place!
Brewington H., Marcus K., Max K. 

5th Grade – National Champions!
Alexander B., Ian N. , Johji N., Mark F., Ripley G,. Mira G.

K-6 Blitz – National Champions!
Kiren N., Alexander B., Oliver B., Ian  N., Ripley G., Mark F., Sebastien B.

Individual Winners

2nd Grade: Jordy L., 11th Place; Seann D. and Joshua G., 15th Place (tied)

3rd Grade: Oliver B., 11th Place; Jasper H., 12th Place

4th Grade: Brewington H., 13th Place; Marcus K., 20th Place

5th Grade: Alexander B., 11th Place; Ian N., 13th Place

6th Grade: Kiren N, 8th Place

7th Grade: Ryan P., 12th Place

Greater New York Scholastic Chess Championship RESULTS

K-3 Team – Primary Champions! 
Jasper H., Oliver B., Jordy L., Seann D., Joshua G., Kulyan B., Julian L., and Sophie K.

K-6 Team – Elementary Champions!
Brewington H., Kiren N., Ian N., Marcus K., and Ripley G.

6-8 Team – Junior High 2nd place! 
Eugene Y., Ryan P., James O., and Maya D-R