Horizon, Rainbow check it at Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament

Horizon’s chess team enthusiastically accepted the trophy for the primary division at Queen’s Quest. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison youth proved their skill in a classic strategy game at the 2013 Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament on May 18.

Horizon Elementary School hosted the tourney, which was rated by the United States Chess Federation (USCF). Huntsville Chess Club officiated the games. Players competed in primary, elementary, junior high and open (grades K-12) divisions.

“Horizon took first place in the primary division of Queen’s Quest with a team of Henry Holland in third place, Jacob Holland in fourth place, Aidan Reyes in fifth place, Christos Prapiadis, Sawyer Varga, Jaden Edwards, Will Parker, Nicholas Marden and Ryland Segerson,” coach Beth Bero said. Bero works as gifted specialist at Horizon.

In addition, Horizon student Cuong Vo earned a personal second place in the elementary division. In the junior high division for grades 6-8, Corbin Holland (who earned second place), Douglas Zhang and Wyatt Varga captured the third-place team trophy.

Tournament director Dr. Gerald Larson congratulates Rainbow’s K-3 chess team with, from left, Ethan Kueck, Aparna Bhooshanan, Jenson Wilhelm, Ben Lessmann, Boone Ramsey, Constance Wang, Maanasi Limaye, Michael Edgemon and Mercedes Zich. (PHOTO/SCOTT WILHELM)

“The Rainbow Elementary School Chess Team made a fantastic showing at the Queen’s Quest tournament,” parent volunteer Ranae Bartlett said.

Rainbow’s fourth- and fifth-grade team earned first place. Team players were Will Bao, Hayden Billman, Nolan Drummond, Will Griffith, Steven Lockwood, Andrew Luttrell, Steven Satcher, Jimmy Sieja, Michael Guthrie, Erin Kueck, Sulekha Ramesh and Kyle Toutanji.

Winners from Rainbow in individual awards were Michael Guthrie, fifth place; Sulekha Ramesh, ninth place; Noland Drummond, tenth place; and Kyle Toutanji, eleventh place.

Rainbow’s team for grades K-3 advanced to second place. Members were Ben Lessmann, Ethan Kueck, Constance Wang, Jonathan Yang, Aparna Bhooshanan, Michael Edgemon, Ben Kosan, Maanasi Limaye, Boone Ramsey, Jenson Wilhelm and Mercedes Zich.

Rainbow’s chess team for grades K-6 includes, from left, Jimmy Sieja, Michael Guthrie, Hayden Billman, Sulekha Ramesh, Erin Kueck, Nolan Drummond, and Steven Lockwood. Will Griffith and Will Bao are kneeling. (PHOTO/SCOTT WILHELM)

Individual awards went to Rainbow students Jenson Wilhelm, second place; Maanasi Limaye, sixth place; Boone Ramsey, eighth place; Constance Wang, ninth place; Aparna Bhooshanan, tenth place; and Mercedes Zich, eleventh place.

Bob Jones High School won first place in team competition. Columbia and West Madison elementary schools rated third and fourth places, respectively, in their divisions.

All contestants are USCF members. For more information, visit uschess.org.