Chess returns to Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces
LAS CRUCES - After a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19 protocols, the chess club at the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces resumed regular play this school year with more than 20 elementary and middle school participants.
The chess year has culminated in its annual end-of-school-year tournament. This year’s tournament winner is Alex S., age 10, a fifth-grader at Desert Hill Elementary. Finishing second was Chris V., age 11, a fifth-grade student at Hillrise Elementary. Third place went to Sophia N., age 6, who is in the first grade at Tombaugh Elementary.
Alex S. was named the Chess Player of the Year. Chis V. was singled out as the player best exemplifying good sportsmanship. Soledad H., age 8, who attends third grade at Desert Hills, was named Most Improved Player.
According to a news release, organizers heaped special attention on Sophia N., who was named Newcomer of the Year. This 6-year-old first-grader joined the club in March. Over a 10-week span, she gained sufficient skills to finish third in the tournament. Her chess instructor said that, despite her young age and limited playing time, she had developed the best opening skills of anyone in the chess club. Organizers expect big accomplishments in her chess future.
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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Chess returns to Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces
