Balaji, Yoon reach perfect chess scores in Bishop’s Bash

Heritage Elementary School’s Chess Team competing at the 2015 Bishops Bash XIV Scholastic Chess Tournament included Chris Zheng, from left, Oviya Gowder, Madhushalini Balaji, Patrick Yoon, Vallabh Busetty, William Ryals and Coach Noel Newquist. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Two chess players from Heritage Elementary School achieved a perfect score during the 2015 Bishops Bash XIV Scholastic Chess Tournament in Hampton Cove on Feb. 28.

Madhushalini Balaji and Patrick Yoon both reached 5 points for a perfect score. Balaji and Yoon played on the Heritage team that competed in the primary division for grades K-3 and earned first place at Bishop’s Bash.

Hampton Cove Elementary School sponsored the tournament.

Heritage’s stellar results at Bishop’s Bash “shows how Madison chess programs are growing,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as executive director of Madison City Chess League.

Art teacher Noel Newquist coaches the Heritage chess players.

Individual winners from Madison were Elora Holland, Bob Jones High School, second place in the open section. Douglas Zhang at second and Aneesha Ankam at third from Discovery Middle School and Nacer Harris at fifth from Liberty Middle School played in the junior high division.

For K-6 in the elementary section, Jenson Wilhelm and Mercedes Zich from Rainbow Elementary School rated first and second, respectively. Other winners were Joshua Lin, Madison Elementary School, fourth; Victor Lundy, Rainbow, fifth; Hayden Billmann, Rainbow, sixth; Christopher Kang, Heritage, seventh; Boone Ramsey, Rainbow, eighth; and Carson Boland, Columbia Elementary School, tenth.

For K-3 in the primary section, Yoon and Balaji from Heritage tied for first with a perfect score of 5 points. Other place winners were Alex Lee, Heritage, fifth; Chris Zheng, Heritage, eighth; Aaron Woods, Columbia; ninth; and Geon Park, Rainbow, tenth.

In team results for junior high, Discovery took second place. For the elementary section, Rainbow ranked first, followed by Mill Creek Elementary School in third and Heritage at fourth.

In the primary section, Heritage was first-place winner. Rainbow ranked in third place and Columbia in fourth.

For this tournament, a team was defined as the four individuals with the highest scores from a school, club or American Chess Federation affiliate.