Teams Place First, Second and Third at State Chess Championship

By Steve Alpern

Commissioner, Baltimore Kids Chess League

Players from the Baltimore Kids Chess League (BKCL) posted great results at the Maryland Scholastic Team Chess Championships held on Sat., March 6 at Dumbarton Middle School. At this event, players compete in teams of four, with no individual trophies given. In the junior varsity middle school division, BKCL teams finished first, second and third out of 13 teams from across the state. Cross Country Elementary/Middle School edged Woodhome Elementary/Middle by a half point, with Booker T. Washington Middle School taking third. Karon Carter from Cross Country was perfect, playing on board number one and going 4-0.

In the varsity middle school division, Cross Country finished second in the state behind Takoma Park of Montgomery County. In the elementary junior varsity division, Steuart Hill Elementary School took sixth place, while Cross Country took sixth place in the elementary varsity division. Baltimore Polytechnic finished fourth in the high school division.

Congratulations to Cross Country Coach Daniel Katz and Principal Matthew Riley!

BKCL players head next to Hagerstown on March 20 for the 2010 Maryland Scholastic Chess Championships.