ELEMENTARY TOURNAMENT SMASHES RECORD AT US CHESS CENTER

The November 23 Elementary School Charity Team Championship attracted 148 enthusiastic chess players representing 31 schools to the U.S. Chess Center. The playing hall at the Center holds just 88 students, so many competed on the carpeted corridors each round.

Haycock Elementary School won the championship trophy on tie-breaks over Forest Edge Elementary. Both schools scored 11.5 out of a perfect score of 12.

There were eight perfect scores turned in. Robert Lewis, Jack McKay, Eric Ma, David Goodsell, Rocco Repetski, Zheng Cao, Joe Cackler and Philip White all won all four games.

The tournament underscored the fund-raising needs of the Center. As the Center's programs become more successful, additional space is needed to contain all of the children who want to play. The Center will gratefully name its library (and other rooms) for anyone who pays for it.

The schools represented included several from blighted inner-city neighborhoods as well as schools from the wealthier suburbs of Washington, D.C. Several hundred pounds of food, along with some new toys and donated clothing was collected for local charities. As always, the kids had a great time meeting others who share their interest in the intellectual game, and a lot of very good chess was played.

This year, the tournament will be held November 23.