Chess students state-bound

Representing The Dalles Middle School at the individual state tournament on Saturday, March 14, in Portland will be regionals first place sixth grader Nick Carcciolo, first place seventh grader Noah Holloran and first place eighth grader Spencer Glenn.

Glenn, Noah Holloran, Ayden Orion and Carcciolo will also represent their school at the State Team Competition on Friday March 13 in Portland.

Orion, Carcciolo, Harley Dine and Silas Fields of The Dalles Middle School took home first place in the regional team tournament.

“We are so proud of all these students,” said Michael Holloran, advisor to the chess club. “Many of them improved dramatically from last year. Nick Carcciolo, Harley Dine, Noah Holloran and Spencer Glenn never missed a day of chess club, which started in early October. It just goes to show that practice pays off. When many kids are sleeping in on late start Wednesdays, these students are at the school honing their skills.”

Michael Holloran noted that “many chess matches at the higher grade levels can take from one and a half to two hours to complete.

“It’s all about taking your time and making the right move,” said Jacob Holloran, who has been playing chess since he was six years old and has memories of Chess Club in Kevin Ramsey’s third grade class.

“Many people think of the chess club as a bunch of nerds, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Michael Holloran. “Many of our players are great math and science students, but they are also class leaders, student body officers and great athletes. We have football players, basketball players and track stars.”

The regional chess tournament had a strong showing from The Dalles, but “sadly, likely in years past, there was no representation from many schools in our area including Hood River, Mosier, Moro and Dufur,” Michael Holloran said.

“In fact, not one K-5 elementary student participated in this year’s tournament.”

The regional tournament was held at The Dalles Middle School.