Neighbors | Submitted.Boardman Glenwood Junior High School recently completed its annual seventh-grade chess tournament. Pictured are, from left, runner up Donovan Angelo, school champ Sava Crnjak and third place winner Brennan Gorby.
Boardman Glenwood Junior High School recently completed its annual seventh-grade chess tournament.
Approximately 250 seventh-graders took part in the single elimination competition that took “gaming” back to the Medieval World. The tournament is run by the seventh-grade teachers Mr. Head, Mr. Basista and Mr. Cordon.
“When we begin our unit on the Middle Ages, we take some time and show all of our students the basic skills of the game of chess. We connect it to the enduring impacts that trade had on Eastern and Western civilizations. Many students have never played chess before and are intimidated by the complexity of it. However, as they become more experienced, they really start to enjoy the game,” stated Mr. Cordon.
As the field of players whittle down to the remaining three competitors, the bracket changes into a double elimination tournament between the three competitors.
“Donovan was a very well rounded player. He used his pieces very well. Brennan’s strategy was to lure other players into making mistakes. Sava was very aggressive right off the start and that helped him win,” stated Mr. Head.
“We have found that even though the tournament is over, all the kids want to continue playing. Last year, we created a chess club that meets before school twice a month. This has grown in popularity. Kids really enjoy coming in at 8 a.m. to find a partner and begin playing,” stated Mr. Basista.