By Kevin Stuart
Sherman County School
THE GORGE — Scholastic chess players came together at Maryhill Museum of Art for a USCF-rated Swiss-style tournament that was also a state-qualifying tournament on Oct. 10.
This was the second chess tournament this school year, and the second time that Maryhill Museum of Art had invited Sherman County to host a tournament at their beautiful facility. The tournament was hosted in the M.J. Murdock Education Center of Maryhill Museum, where Dave Murray (Portland) served as the Tournament Director and for the 51 players who were able to attend, the tournament it was a good experience.
In the K12, Advanced Section, William McAllister (Hood River Valley High School) won first place, Aiden Devlaeminck (Sherman) won second, and Logan Christensen (Sherman) won third. Kennan Cranston and Micah Earl (both from Sherman) earned Plus Medals for winning more than half of their games, while David Harmening (Goldendale Home-School Coop), Aiden Francis, and Arian Burnett (both from Sherman) earned Evens Medals for winning half of their games. There were 12 players in this section.
In the middle- and high school intermediate section, Nicholas Kalucki (Spray) won first, Zane Moore (Sherman) took second, and Colton Holliday won third Place. Simon Burbank (Sherman), Ivan Miner (Goldendale Home-School Coop), and Ty Bailey (Sherman) each earned Plus Medals, while Olesel Miller (Spray) and Trapper Malcolm (Sherman) each won Evens Medals. There were 14 players entered.
In the middle- and high school novice section, with nine players, Even Wheeler (Sherman) won first, while Aiden Minne took second and Landon Cleary (both from Goldendale High), took third. William Phelps, and Jorge Anaya (both from Sherman) each earned Evens Medals.
In the elementary intermediate section, with 10 players, Daniel Burbank (Sherman) won first, while Vince Weedman (Sherman) and Sammy Batastini (Goldendale Homeschool Coop) won third. In this section, Joey Batastini (Goldendale Home School Coop), Joyce Orendorff, and Mark Timothy School (both from Sherman), as well as Wade Steele (Spray) earned Evens Medals.
In the elementary school novice section, with six players, Johann Rusnac (Portland) won first, while Bella Batastini (Goldendale Homeschool Coop) won second, and Vivian Burbank (Sherman) won third. Finally, Adley Kaseberg in his first tournament, earned an Evens Medal.
The museum’s George E. Muehleck, Jr. Gallery of International Chess Sets continues to offer a historical global overview of chess, accompanied by anecdotes and stories about the game. A varied selection of its unique chess sets and chess-related works of art are on display, from antique Indian warriors to Simpsons-themed and other pop culture sets.
Sherman County Chess and all of the participants wish to thank the Maryhill Museum of Art for being such gracious hosts, and wish to offer thanks as well to the James Weir Fund for providing the funding used to provide this opportunity to the 42 players who participated and their families. We are very grateful as well to the Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation for covering the USCF Membership fees for the new and renewing players. Thanks as well to all the staff of Maryhill Museum of Art for their help setting up and facilitating the tournament.
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