Out of the Gate

It's the beginning of a new school year and time to start thinking about the upcoming chess club season. 2016-2017 will be my 14th year sponsoring chess at Warsaw Community Schools. I like to begin each year by reflecting on the past year and creating goals for the present year.

Madison: Last year was the first year that Madison did not place in the top ten at the Indiana state chess team finals since I started chess 14 years ago. I thought that the 6th and under A team was pretty good and had a shot to place at state but it wasn't meant to be. All of the players on the team were sixth graders and have moved on to middle school. The B team placed in the top twenty-five at state last year. I had three fourth graders and a fifth grader and they will all be back for this year. I'm pretty optimistic about the team and plan for them to place higher at state this year. My goal, as always, is for the A team to place in the top ten at state.

Last year was a rebuilding year for the 3rd and Under teams. All 8 players on the teams had never been to the state finals. It was the first year that I sent two completely "green" teams to state. The A team blew me away at state. After round 3, they had won all three rounds and were in 4th place out of 50-something teams. I didn't think they would even win three rounds the entire day and there they were, 3-0 at the halfway point. I won't mention the rest of the day but let me say that I was proud of them. (I'm proud of all my teams but that one blew me away). There was only one third grader on the 3rd and under teams so most will be back. Unfortunately, I lost some players to the gifted and talented school this season, as I do every year, so we're going to fill in the gaps to build a contender for state.

Washington: In the 6th and Under section at state finals last year, the A team placed 6th. The entire team was made up of 5th graders so all will be back! The B team placed in the top 20. They were all 4th and 5th graders and all will be back! High hopes for Washington this year; top three finish at state is the goal for the A team and top ten for the B team. I've never placed two teams from the same school in the top ten.

In the 3rd and Under section, the A team placed 6th at state. All players were 3rd graders and will move up to the next level. The hard part is that the 6th and under section will be stacked this year. I only plan to send 8 players to state so the competition will be fierce! I may make three teams, but I'll have to do a lot of reflecting and praying about that one. The 3rd and Under "B" team placed 12th at state with a team of first and second graders. I was thinking top five at state this year for Washington until the gifted and talented school took my top player. As happens every year, I'll have to work hard to prepare other players to fill in the gaps. I'm still going to shoot for top 5 at state as the goal for the 3rd and Under team.