Fall Queen’s Quest Chess tourney attracts 100 students

MADISON – Concentration was at a peak when Rainbow Elementary School hosted the Fall Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament on Nov. 23.

Young players plot their next move at the Fall Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament, held at Rainbow Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED)

“Although it takes a lot of effort and volunteer support, one benefit of hosting a regional  tournament in Madison is to allow local students a more convenient opportunity to compete in a rated chess tournament,” parent volunteer Ranae Bartlett said.

Approximately 100 students in grades K-12 competed in four individual and team sections. In the open section, the Bob Jones High School team won first place. In the junior high section, Discovery Middle School captured first place, and Randolph School won second-place honors.

In the K-6 elementary section, teams receiving trophies were Rainbow Elementary School, first place; Randolph, second; Horizon Elementary School, third; and West Madison Elementary School, fourth.

In the K-3 primary section, Rainbow again captured the first-place team trophy. Other awarded teams were Horizon, second; Randolph, third; and Freedom Chess Academy in Tuscaloosa, fourth.

Tournament competitors included students from Columbia, Heritage, Madison and Mill Creek elementaries in Madison; Hampton Cove Middle School; Jones Valley, Monte Sano, Blossomwood and J.E. Williams elementaries in Huntsville; and home-school students.

More than 40 medals and trophies were awarded in the individual sections.

Madison students won first-place trophies in each individual section: K-3, Constance Wang, Rainbow; K-6, Om Badhe, Mill Creek; junior high, Cheng Zhou, Randolph; and open, Elora Holland, Bob Jones.

Madison City Chess League will continue to meet on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Rainbow Landing Clubhouse until Dec. 9, when its holiday break starts.

In January 2014, the league will move to Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Lane in Madison with the same meeting schedule. “YMCA members can sign their kids in to play chess while they work out,” Bartlett said. “Non-members can sign waiver forms and wait while their children are playing chess.”

For more information, visit Facebook/MadisonCityChessLeague.