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Top Student Strategists Embrace Competition at First Countywide Chess Tournament

Students and coaches both said they were glad to finally have the opportunity to compete against each other in the first Baltimore County Public School chess tournament held this Saturday in Owings Mills.

Contrary to what the game might imply, the energy was high among the nearly 100 elementary, middle and high school students gathered for the first ever Baltimore County Public School Chess Championship Saturday at .

While matches were held in a separate room away from parents, spectators and coaches, some said what was quietly going on behind closed doors has proved to be helpful, fun and worth it for young people throughout the county. 

“It’s real hard to get all the schools together,” said Milford Mill's high school coach Nolton Chambers. “But it gives them the opportunity to play with students outside of the school, and that’s good for their game.”

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Patricia Baltzley, pre-K-12 mathematics director for BCPS, said she believes chess offers more than just a lesson in strategy.

That's why she recently secured a grant through the Maryland Education Partnership Program to fund a chess program throughout Baltimore County. The money will help coaches purchase supplies like game sets, boards, clocks and player T-shirts. 

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“I think what initially attracted me to the idea of a chess tournament was that the skills they build while playing directly relate to the STEM subject areas: critical thinking, discipline and patience,” she said. “That’s definitely a good life lesson.”

With six high schools, nine middle schools and seven elementary schools competing, the tournament lasted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In between rounds, students and coaches gathered in what are called "skittle rooms" in the chess world. There, they practiced or relaxed before the next match.

Kevin Condon, the head coach for the Owings Mills High team, said his students have been preparing for this competition since just after school began last September. Condon said although popularity for the game has waned in the last decade or so, he has seen more kids taking up the game recently.

“I’ve seen the popularity ebb and flow for chess in high schools over the years,” he said. “It fades away and eventually comes back again.”

Chambers echoed Condon's sentiment of revitalization. 

“We’re really hoping this will revive the high school leagues,” Chambers said. “My kids are asking me all the time about when will they get to play other schools.”

Meanwhile, several student competitors throughout the day expressed their satisfaction.

Jasmine Heath, a junior at Owings Mills High, said her experience on the chess team has allowed her to make new friends and enhance her skills.

“It’s a great experience for learning chess and you get to play so many new people,” she said. “By playing with different kinds of people it really helps improve your game.”

Another Owings Mills player, Brandon Reynolds, said he enjoyed how the game can teach him how to concentrate.

“When you’re playing the game it’s so calm and quiet," he said. "And you really get that focus.”

Myles Wright-Walker, one of the members from Loch Raven High, said chess teaches him things he can use off the playing board.

“This is my first year and I think its fun,” he said. “I’m going to be joining the military next year and it’s very tactical, so I like that.”

The tournament consisted of five rounds, with school teams from each division with the highest average wins awarded the championship. Individual winners were also recognized with separate awards.

Jesse Clarke from Hereford High said there were several exceptional players competing this year.

“There’s a range of skill for sure,” he said. “It’s great to have a chess club but it’s better to play different players a lot. It’s a challenge but it’s really fun too.”

The first place individual player trophy was collected by Henry Ko, a senior at Dulaney high school. He said there was stiff competition and was glad to see so many students competing in the tournament. (See a list of the tournament's final standings below.)

“There were a lot of really great kids playing today,”Koe said. “This is a great opportunity for more students to start playing.”

Ko, who mentioned that he was somewhat disappointed to be leaving the chess team after graduation because the program is just getting started, offered some advice for the younger players who will be competing for his title in the coming years.

“When I played my first tournament I lost every match,” he said. “Just because you lose one day doesn’t mean you should give up.”

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Final standings--2011 BCPS chess tournament

High School Division:
1. Hereford
2. Eastern Technical
3. Loch Raven
4. Owings Mills
5. Milford Mill
6. Dundalk 

Middle School Division:
1. Cockeysville
2. Dumbarton
3. Stemmers Run
4. Arbutus
5. Southwest Academy
6. Hereford
7. Old Court
8. Loch Raven
9. General John Stricker 

Elementary School Division:
1. Stoneleigh
2. Essex
3. Cromwell
4. Timonium
5.  Orems
6. Carney
7. Powhatan

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