HHS offers many areas to get involved, one of the most recent being the chess team. The team is coached by Mr. Evilsizer, who started the organization last year, but was unable to take the team out to compete at that time. This year, however, he was able to lead the players in competitions, and they experienced great success in their first year. Recently, the team even qualified for the state tournament.
On January 10, the team competed in a team tournament at Belleville West High School. There were a total of twenty teams that participated, and because of the tough opponents, Mr. Evilsizer expressed nervousness, as the team hadn’t practiced together since the Christmas break.
Amazingly, the chess team placed fifth. This ranking is determined by averaging the ratings of all the players on the team, which is calculated to an overall average of 826. In the first two rounds, the team won their matches; however, as they improved, they faced increasingly stronger opponents. In their final round, they went up against the toughest team, Belleville East.
In the midst of the challenge, the chess team members showcased their skills and turned the tables, winning 20 to 10. This victory marked their impressive total of four wins for the day.
Then, on January 31, chess sectionals took place at Belleville East High School. This event was necessary to qualify for the state competition, and participants needed to win two out of four rounds to qualify. After intense matches and strategic plays, our team successfully won two rounds, defeating Mt. Vernon and Greenview.
The victories showcased their hard work and dedication to the game. As they celebrated their wins, the excitement for the upcoming state competition grew, promising more challenges and opportunities to demonstrate their skills on a larger stage. The team’s ultimate goal is to place in the top 100 out of 128. The tournament begins on February 13 in Peoria, Illinois.
For anyone wanting to join this incredible team next school year, it is open to all. Any student can join the chess team, not just those who are experienced. If someone is interested in learning how to play, Mr. Evilsizer will teach them, and after the basics are learned, students have the opportunity to compete in competitions. The team sessions typically begin in August and continue until February or March.
