Sisters chess team has the moves

School sports usually pit the physically strong and agile against one another, and Sisters has proven formidable on many a court and field. But some Outlaws competitors choose a checked board for their arena.

The chess team of Sisters is having great success, pitting one strong and agile mind against others in the classic and ancient game of strategy.

The chess club finds its home in the middle school where some of the finer young minds of Sisters are taught to think beyond the moment and learn a game that can help these students to become successes in life and business.

"There is a lot going on in town as far as chess is concerned, and the school chess clubs are a part of that," said Jack Weeks, who coaches the teams from both the elementary and middle schools.

Weeks believes that this year could prove to be an exceptional year for chess in Sisters after the wins that were cataloged last Saturday, February 2.

"There was a regional tournament that was held in Bend. We competed yesterday, and there were three divisions that competed from Sisters. We came away with some good wins," said Weeks.

Some of the players will be going on to the state championships.

"Our team in the sixth through seventh grades won first place, and that qualifies them to go to Portland to play in the state finals in March. The fifth grade chess club took second place at the tournament, and we also had four fourth graders involved, but they were not able to place," said Weeks.

Nick Larson, Nathan Pajutee, Ryan Pollard, Paul Fullhart will go to the state tourney.

Most of the competition took place between teams; however, there were also individual matches.

"We had two students from the middle school who qualified to go to the state finals and play as individuals. One of them was Ryan Pollard, and he qualified as the top ranked seventh grader yesterday (Saturday). The other was Paul Fullhart, who is a sixth grader," said Weeks.

Although Weeks coaches at the elementary school and middle school, there appears to be a void at the high school, and Weeks hopes that it may someday be filled.

"As far as I know, there is no chess program at the high school. Many of the students from the middle school continue to play on their own, but there is no high school program," he said.

A weekly drop-in, no-sign up, no fee chess game is staged every Wednesday night at SOBA Noodle & Rice, from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. For information call 549-1442.