SCSC > Student Outreach: SCSC Chess Tournament > Fall 2007 Chess Tournament

SCSC FALL 2007 CHESS TOURNAMENT

Students Make Their Moves in Regional Chess Tournament

More than 30 students competed in the 2007 Fall South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) Regional Chess Tournament on November 3, 2007 at the St. Peter Community Center in St. Peter.

Students from Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Mountain Lake, Edina, Wayzata, New Prague, St. Peter, Waseca, Belle Plaine, St. Peter, Home School, and Mankato Schools: Garfield, Roosevelt, Mankato West, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, and Mankato East Junior High, attended this stimulating day of chess.

All students were guaranteed 4 rounds no matter their level of play or standing. Some students were required to play tie-breaking games against the clock to determine final tournament placement.  The day concluded with an awards ceremony honoring 1^st through 3^rd-place winners in each category. All students received certificates, complimentary prizes, and an invitational berth to the State Chess Tournament June 20–21, 2008.

The tournament directors taught students sportsmanship and how to conduct themselves with nobility. First time players, although timid initially, unanimously agreed that they would be back for more!  The tournament was designed to be all-inclusive and to eliminate no one.  Camaraderie developed immediately that spanned all ages.

“When a 7 year old wins a match against a 12^th grader, what choice do you have but to respect your opponent? And, what other tournament play allows competition across so many grades?” asked SCSC tournament coordinator, Bridget Serig.  “There are enumerable and remarkable learning opportunities in this setting.”

John Flores, Certified US Chess Federation (USCF) Tournament Director, facilitated the sanctioned tournament with assistance from Steve Harder from Mountain Lake and Brian Combs from Minnesota State University Mankato.  All three passionately offered their time to teach chess, knowing the incredible intellectual doors it opens in young peoples’ minds.   

"Chess is a very academically challenging game which develops reasoning, critical thinking, strategy planning, and problem solving," said Flores, who is collaborating with SCSC to develop an annual SCSC State Chess Tournament in the area as a representative of the Minnesota State Chess Association (MSCA).

Trophies and medals awarded for 1^st–3^rd place

Click on the small images below for a larger view!

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