ISSUE
Scholastic Chess
2004.3
PAGE
19
California Northern Grade Level Championship
This event is
year in May, but has been
unique since
moved to December in the
players compete
hopes of attracting more par-
saw that my
in one of 13 sec-
ticipation. This year's venue at
rook was
tions ranging
the beautiful campus of the
from kindergar-
University of the Pacific pro-
ten to 12th
vided plenty of space for play-
Overheard: “I
hanging, but
figured I could
On a cold but sunny Saturday
grade and thus do not have to
ers to run around and eat, par-
beat him
morning in Stockton, 246 ea-
face any opponents who are
ents to sit and chat, and direc-
without it. So I
ger youngsters showed up for
older or younger. The tourna-
tors to relax in peace and
the annual California Northern
ment was previously held each
quiet.
sacrifice.”
Grade Level Championship.
The K-3 sections played five
lione and the rest of the North
games on Saturday while the
Stockton Rotary. Dozens of
4-12 sections completed six
volunteers from the Rotary,
rounds over two days. The
both young and old, assisted to
following individuals and
make the rounds proceed as
school teams earned the title
smoothly and on-time as possi-
of State Champion for their
ble. The tournament directing
grade! In case of a tie for 1st
staff was headed by John McCu-
place, the person listed first
miskey of the Sacramento
won a blitz playoff.
Chess Club and Jacob Green of
The event was once again capably organized by Tom BigTHE
guess it was a
Kids do battle for the Grade Level honors
the Stockton Chess Club.
—Michael Aigner
WINNERS:
Kindergarten: Jeffery Ko and Leon Kitano
1st grade: Nicholas Nip
team: Weibel Elementary
2nd grade: Jonathan Gilbert
team: Mission San Jose Elementary
3rd grade: Alex Grossman and Aamir Azhar
team: Mission San Jose Elementary
4th grade: Isaac Zhang
team: Heather Elementary and Gomes Elementary
5th grade: Mukund Chillakanti
team: Mission San Jose Elementary
6th grade: Tatsuro Yamamura and Logan Su
team: St. Mark's School
7th grade: John Miller
team: St. Mark's School
8th grade: Ted Belanoff
team: St. Mark's School
9th grade: Matt Zavortink
team: Stagg High School
10th grade: Evan Eyster and Michael Liu
team: Stagg High School
11th grade: Wesley Chen
team: Edison High School
12th grade: Jason Gurtovoy
team: Edison High School