Rainbow Chess Team takes state chess championship

Jenson Wilhelm, , from left, Michael Guthrie, Sulekha Ramesh and Boone Ramsey share their excitement for winning the trophy as state chess champions. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Strategy and riveting focus by the Rainbow Elementary School Chess Team led to their victory as state champions at the 60th annual Alabama State Chess Championship.

The team earned top honors in the division for kindergarten through sixth grade. The tournament was held at WaterMark Place Center in Bessemer on Sept. 6-8.

Members of the Rainbow Chess Team who took first place are fourth-grader Jenson Wilhelm, sixth-grader Michael Guthrie, sixth-grader Sulekha Ramesh and fourth-grader Boone Ramsey.

Rainbow entered another team in the state tournament, and this group also made a strong showing in chess competition. This team includes third-grader Constance Wang, fourth-grader Mercedes Zich, fourth-grader Maanasi Limaye and sixth-grader Erin Kueck.

Ranae Bartlett and Bill Nash coached the Chess Club members that competed. Noel Newquist is the school sponsor at Rainbow.

“This was the first time our school chess club has competed in the fall state chess championship and also the first time our school has won,” Bartlett said. “I am very proud of the hard work our kids put into preparing for this tournament.”

Over the summer, the Rainbow youth continued to practice the game and attended club meetings on Monday nights at the Madison City Chess League.

Tournament participants were required to hold membership in the U.S. Chess Federation and Alabama Chess Federation (or other state affiliation).

“We hope to raise enough money to travel to the National K-12 Scholastic Championship in Orlando, Fla. in December,” Bartlett said. “We are currently seeking sponsors to help us pay for the travel to Orlando.”

Starting in September, Newquist and Bartlett are teaching the “Learn to Play Chess” class for four weeks for children in grades K-6. “Then, our kids move from that class to either the Recreation Club to play for fun every other week or the Beginning Competition Club that meets weekly to learn the fundamentals of competing in tournaments,” Bartlett said.

In addition, Nash coaches the Advanced Competition Chess Club for more experienced, higher rated players. This group meets every Friday after school.