Chess players shine in tournament

Sisters chess players formed teams to compete in a regional chess tournament Saturday, February 4 at the Redmond High Hartman Campus. The campus was packed with chess players, organizers and observing parents.

All players played five matches in a tourney that ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Best teams and individual players won trophies and qualification to play in the state chess tournament in Portland, which will be held March 2-3.

Nick Larson, of Sisters, took second place in the high school division; Orry Abbenhuis placed second in fifth grade individual, both qualifying for state.

Sisters' K-5 team included: David Novotny; Joan Song; Asher Bachtold; Bennett Lewis; Wyatt Adams; Orry Abenhuis; Cymie Lagao; Logan Holler; Hunter Lucas; George Chladek.

The 6-8 team was composed of: Jordan Pollard; Chayse Head; Ethan Ferwalt; Ethan Kennedy; Gabe Patton; Brady Wessel; Elisabeth Larson; Peter Lund.

High school students were: Nick Larson; Nathan Pajutee; Adam Novotny.

The tournament was organized by the Chess for Success program. For more information, visit www.

chessforsuccess.org.

Sisters fourth-graders continue to receive chess instruction in a program established by volunteer Jack Weeks.

Middle school chess club is coordinated by parent volunteer Jana Novotny. More than 20 students meet every Wednesday morning before school. They play in two groups: the fifth-grade group is led by high school students Nathan Pajutee and Nick Larson. The sixth- to eight-grade group is led by volunteer David Gentry.

Chess club runs from October to spring break. Kids learn game strategies, play each other, keep score, and club champions are announced at the end of season.

Sisters community chess is played every Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Ray's Food Place community room.