CHICO — The Sacramento Valley Scholastic Chess League tournament had its biggest turnout yet Wednesday.
Over 200 children, from grades kindergarten to 12th, from 32 schools gathered at the Chico Elks Lodge for their monthly chess tournament. Normally the tournaments are held at a school in Chico.
“I’m optimistic,” said league director Steven Oberlander. “This is a different venue, and we are having a lot of success.”
Oberlander considers chess a competitive sport.
Scott Fleharty is the father of three chess competitors, 9-year-old Matthew Fleharty, 11-year-old Jacob Fleharty and 13-year-old Isabella Fleharty, who all competed Wednesday.
“This is great for kids to do something positive and competitive and they have fun doing it,” Scott Fleharty said. The tournament was the first for Matthew Fleharty but Isabella and Jacob Fleharty had competed before.
Plaza Elementary School third grade student Elaina Culver concentrates on her chess game at the Sacramento Valley Scholastic Chess League tournament Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 at the Chico Elks Lodge in Chico, California. (Jennie Blevins/Enterprise-Record)
All three children attend Plaza Elementary School in Orland.
Chess player Dax Parcell, 8, has been playing the board game since he was four years old. Wednesday’s tournament was also his first.
“I’m excited and nervous,” Parcell said. Parcell is a third grade student at Little Chico Creek Elementary School. He said he has his strategy all figured out.
Parent Megan Gaddis’ son Logan Silva is a third grade student at Citrus Elementary School. Wednesday’s tournament was his first. “He’s beyond excited,” Gaddis said.
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Silva’s mentor is Citrus teacher Andrew Gutierrez. “He’s Logan’s role model,” Gaddis said. “Logan is so passionate about chess. He has six different chess sets.”
“Chess keeps kids sharp,” Gaddis said. “It gets them away from screens and teaches them logic and strategy. It also teaches them to be cordial toward one another and teaches them sportsmanship and respect for others.”
John A. McManus Elementary School fifth grade teacher and coach Dylan Wakefield enjoyed watching the tournament. “It’s so so cool to see my students playing chess,” Wakefield said.
The next tournament will be held Oct. 16 at Franklin Elementary School in Yuba City. For more information, visit https://www.svscl.org.
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