[imagefield_assist|fid=16939|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=National Master Kevin Cao was crowned the overall champion at the Parkway Schools District Championship.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=467]
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis had one of its busiest weekends of the year last month, hosting Parkway students of all grade levels for the annual Parkway Chess Championship. The tournament was split over two days with primary students competing on Saturday, April 20 and secondary students on Sunday, April 21.
A total of 78 K-5th graders came to the Chess Club for the tournament on Saturday. The competition was compartmentalized into six separate sections, one for each grade.
In the Kindergarten section, Sam Jerauld of Sorrento Springs won four out of five games in a round-robin to claim first place. In the 1st-grade section, Jason Tsao went undefeated to clinch the victory. This was a repeat victory for Jason, who won the Kindergarten division last year. Michael Pugachev scored an impressive four wins and a draw to beat out the competition of the 2nd-grade section. The 3rd-grade champ, Aiden Johnson, a student of National Master Spencer Finegold, went undefeated in the tournament, and in the biggest section of the tournament, 20 4th graders could not defeat Michael D’Alfonso, who went undefeated after five games. In the 5th-grade section, Sandeep Yanamala, also undefeated, was crowned the Parkway champion! Shenandoah Elementary School defended their 2012 title and won the tournament with an overwhelming result of over 40 combined victories.
Chess Club staff returned to the tournament hall the next day to run the 6th-12th grade sections. The attendance at the event was polarized, and sections needed to be adjusted prior to the games. Tournament Director Mike Kummer decided to create two sections for the participants, a 6th grade-only section and a 7th-12th grade section.
The sixth graders played five rounds of heated matches featuring checkmates, piece captures, blunders and busts. When the dust settled, Amy Zhang was crowned the 6th-grade champion.
The secondary section was one of the most competitive in years as National Master Kevin Cao dominated the field to win the tournament. Kevin was paired against Expert Tom Polgar in the final round. The game was a tactical nightmare, but, in the end, Kevin navigated the complicatins to earn the full point and secure the overall championship.
Parkway West Middle School, led by Coach Joe Regenbogen, secured the overall school championship.
Thanks to all of the 108 participants, parents, coaches, and the Parkway School District administration for making this tournament possible here at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis!
