Bob Jones High School, Discovery Middle School, Liberty Middle School, Madison, Madison County Record, Monrovia, News, Schools, Unincorporated Madison County
 By  GreggParker Published 
8:08 pm Friday, December 30, 2016

Chess teams compete nationally at Opryland Hotel

On December 16-18, 52 Madison City Chess League members competed at the National K12 Chess Championship at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. CONTRIBUTED

On December 16-18, 52 Madison City Chess League members competed at the National K12 Chess Championship at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison City Chess League entered 52 members in the National K-12 Chess Championship at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. on Dec. 16-18.

“This meet was, without a doubt, the most challenging national scholastic tournament in which students compete against the best in the country in grade-level specific sections over seven rounds that span three days,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

Each game can last around three hours if players on both sides use their full allotment of time. Madison was able to send full teams from Rainbow elementary, Discovery and Liberty middle and Bob Jones high schools.

Rainbow sent 20 students from grades 1-6. Rainbow’s sixth-grade team finished in seventh place out of 26 teams.
Rainbow’s third-grade team finished 11th out of 24 teams, only one-half point from receiving a trophy. Second-grader Xavier Bruni finished the tournament with 5 out of 7 points.
At the tournament conclusion, two Madison teams received honors during the awards ceremony. “The highest team award went to Bob Jones’s ninth-grade team, who placed third in the nation at their first appearance at National K12 tournament,” Bartlett said.
“Not far behind was Discovery’s eighth-grade team that finished in fourth place. Bill Nash and Bradley Denton coach the teams from Bob Jones and Discovery. In a time when competitive chess participation is in decline in middle and high school across the country, Madison is seeing growth in both age groups,” Bartlett said.
Madison City Chess League also had some students win individual class prizes within their grade-level sections to recognize them for performance with their individual ratings level.
“Congratulations to Pulak Agarwalla from Benjamin Davis school in Decatur for winning the first-place Class Prize in 1000-1199 section for 2nd grade,” Bartlett said.
“Ben Kosan from Discovery won the second-place Class Prize in 800-999 for seventh grade. Will Bao from Discovery won the second-place Class Prize in the 1000-1199 section for eighth grade,” she said.
“We are very grateful to all of our coaches, parents and students for a great experience in Nashville,” Bartlett said. “A big thank-you to Scott Wilhelm for taking wonderful photos throughout. We will always remember the opportunity we had to compete in the most challenging national scholastic chess tournament of the year.”
For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.
Also on The Madison Record
Six finalists competing to see who will become Madison’s first “Pup Mayor”
Events, Madison County Record, Madison Living, ...
Six finalists competing to see who will become Madison’s first “Pup Mayor”
Voting continues through Nov. 12. A “Paw-ty” inauguration celebration is planned for Nov. 13 at Homeplace Park
John Few 
November 6, 2025
MADISON - Now there are six candidates, but only one will be named Madison’s new mayor -- “Pup Mayor” that is. Main Street Madison has been holding a ...
Madison Police Department to be the first in Alabama to use ConfirmOK
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Madison Police Department to be the first in Alabama to use ConfirmOK
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
October 29, 2025
MADISON - The Madison Police Department will be the first in Alabama to use ConfirmOK, a program which connects daily check-ins with law enforcement. ...
‘Celebrate Madison’ attracted residents to Toyota Field in a time of community gratitude
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Celebrate Madison
‘Celebrate Madison’ attracted residents to Toyota Field in a time of community gratitude
Gregg Parker 
October 29, 2025
MADISON – It wasn’t the Fourth of July, but that atmosphere of patriotism and community spirit prevailed at Celebrate Madison 2025. Madison Chamber of...
“Gather Madison” to unite residents for Thanksgiving meal, fun at Homeplace Park
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
“Gather Madison” to unite residents for Thanksgiving meal, fun at Homeplace Park
Gregg Parker 
October 29, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Madison man sentenced to life without parole in killing
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Madison man sentenced to life without parole in killing
Logan Delp found guilty of two counts of capital murder in case connected to Madison woman
WES TOMLINSON The Decatur Daily 
October 29, 2025
DECATUR - A photo of Hartselle resident Anthony Larry Sheppard holding his then-infant daughter sat on a table in Morgan County Circuit Court on Frida...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *