Youth outpace business professionals in Chess Challenge

Taron Thorpe, Bancorp South Vice President, competes against seven-year-old Corinne Wilhelm, a second grader at Rainbow Elementary School, in the Chess Challenge, sponsored by Madison City Chess League. (Contributed/Scott Wilhelm)

MADISON – A hard-fought battle at Madison City Chess League’s first Chess Challenge resulted in victory for the youngsters.

Youth in the chess league dared adults in the business community to a game. The event was held at Madison City Schools Central Office on April 1.

“We would like to thank our local community and business leaders who participated in the first league challenge (with) our chess kids, ages 6-10 years old,” executive director Ranae Bartlett said. “Out of 17 games, the final score was 12-5, with the league kids winning the match.”

Elected officials accepting the dare were Mayor Troy Trulock and Madison City Council President Tommy Overcash. Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler also entered.

Noel Newquist with Newquii Studios and WHNT-19 reporter David Kumbroch competed.

COLSA Vice President Ivan Garcia, Summit 7 Systems Managing Partner Scott Edwards, ADTRAN Senior Vice President Kevin Heering and Intergraph Vice President Gerald King braved the youngster’s game knowledge.

Other professionals entering the challenge were Willbrook Solutions Vice President Matt Ramsey; Bancorp South Vice President Taron Thorpe; Chatan Charan, Neel Mohan and Vathana Tep, Nektar; Don Maddox, Hitachi Consulting; and Bradley Wallace, PowebookMedic.com.

League members were Puja C., Karsten W. Sahithi M., Zachary C., Madhu B., Victor L., Neha C., Viraaj E., Geon P., Simon F., Boone R., Rishi S., Constance W., Pranaav S., Corinne W., Vallabh B. and Abhi E.

The challenge served as a fundraiser for the league.

The league offers free sessions on Mondays, hosts chess camps and tournaments and connects chess coaches to every Madison school chess club.  Students throughout Madison County, including Huntsville and Madison, and Decatur attend league meetings at Hogan Family YMCA.

“What a great city we live in where the mayor, city council president, superintendent of schools and local business leaders come together to spend time playing chess with some of the best kids you will ever meet,” Bartlett said.

For more information, visit madisoncitychessleague.weebly.com, Facebook/Madison City Chess League or Twitter #rbartlett14.