Area students battle over the boards in 20th annual UCS chess tournament

Nearly 300 students battled over the boards recently for the 20th annual Utica Community Schools chess tournament.

The students played five 40-minute games in eight different grade level sections: K/1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/8 and 9-12.

“I think it helps me a lot with my math,” said participant Claire Pult. “You have to really concentrate in math, just like in chess.”

The chess tournament — one of the largest in the area — is sponsored annually to give students the opportunity to have fun in a local competition, according to organizer and Roberts Elementary teacher Scott Burnham.

“Chess is important because it has been confirmed to raise a player’s IQ, improve standardized test scores, increase math ability, advance reading levels, foster problem solving ability and most importantly teaches consequences through touch chess,” Burnham said. “Plus it is a lifelong game that can be enjoyed anywhere in the world.”

While the majority of players were UCS students, others traveled from Canton, Novi, St. Clair Shores, Lake Orion and Oxford to participate.

Players won awards in two areas. Medals were awarded based on the number of wins (Gold=all five wins, Silver=4 or 4.5 wins, and Bronze was awarded for 3 or 3.5 wins). Trophies were awarded to the top players in each section.

All in all, 49 trophies and 121 medals were awarded to participants. UCS students earning trophies were:

Kindergarten
1st Place Paul Jimenez — Roberts Elementary

1st Grade
1st Place Jade Burnham (silver medal) — Flickinger Elementary
2nd Place Madelyn Wood (bronze medal) — Roberts
3rd Place James McCown (bronze medal) — Roberts

2nd Grade
3rd Place Ben Miller (silver medal) — Roberts

3rd Grade
3rd Place Nathan Wood (silver medal) — Roberts

4th Grade
1st Place Connor Harrison (gold medal) — Schuchard Elementary
2nd Place Graham Barash (silver medal) — Schuchard
3rd Place Jack Burnham (silver medal) — Flickinger

5th Grade
4th Place Joshua Donahue (silver medal) — Roberts

6th Grade
1st Place Zachary Pass (gold medal) — Switzer
2nd Place Tommy Mosley (silver medal) — Dresden Elementary
3rd Place Gabe Whitt (silver medal) — Roberts

7/8th Grade
1st Place Evan Barash (gold medal) — Jeannette Junior High
2nd Place Wil Harrison (silver medal) — Jeannette Junior High
3rd Place Zachary Werbrouck (silver medal)—Jeannette Junior High

9-12th Grade
2nd Place Reagan Turedi (silver medal) — Utica Academy for International Studies

The participants were also treated to a surprise player’s pack to celebrate the tournament’s two decades.