Madison City Chess League first in state for elementary clubs

Members of the Madison City Chess League team that won the state championship in the club section are Joshua Lin, from left, Om Badhe, Aubteen Pour-Biazar and Vishay Ram. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Organized only eight months ago, the Madison City Chess League captured first place in the elementary club section at the Alabama Scholastic Chess Championship.

On March 16, the University of Montevallo hosted chess competitions in sections for both clubs and school teams.

Students in Madison City Schools in the award-winning league are Om Badhe, who attends Mill Creek Elementary School; Aubteen Pour-Biazar, West Madison Elementary School; Joshua Lin, Madison Elementary School; and Vishay Ram, Heritage Elementary School.

“Given that Madison City Chess League has been in existence for less than a year, (their win) is a major accomplishment,” parent volunteer Ranae Bartlett said. This tournament marked the first time for a Madison chess club to compete at the state level.

In addition, clubs in the Birmingham area previously have dominated the top honors.

League organizers invited youth from all Madison schools to apply for the club if their school did not have enough students to form a four-person team to compete at state.

In other honors at the state tournament, a team from Rainbow Elementary School claimed the state chess championship for the schools division.

To view all tournament standings, visit the Alabama Chess Federation website at alabamachess.com/cmsms.

The Madison City Chess League was founded in July 2013. The league meets on Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hogan Family YMCA.

The league is designed for youth and adults who already know how to play chess. League membership is free for all Madison students in grades K-12 who can play chess.

During meetings, parents who are YMCA members can work out while their children play chess. Parents who aren’t YMCA members must remain on the premises with children 12 years old and younger and can wait in the lobby.

Noel Newquist, Bill Nash and Bartlett volunteer at league meetings.

For more information about the Madison City Chess League, email to rbartlett@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visit Facebook/MadisonCityChessLeague.