Flying under the radar, La Salle’s chess team has fared quite well in both the team and individual competitions this year. As the season draws to a close, both the team and individual players are gearing up for their respective state championship tournaments.

Team Competitions:

During the last few months, La Salle’s chess team has been competing in the Portland Area League, which is composed of twenty other high and middle school teams from the Portland metro area. This league holds weekly competitions in which the entire team competes. La Salle’s team has done well in these competitions, ranking in the middle of the current standings since the team is composed of both experienced and beginner level players.

The ultimate competition for the chess team is the Oregon High School Chess Team Association’s State Championship which will be held on the 26th and 27th of February. Forty different teams will compete during this two day event. La Salle is returning to this competition after a 1st place win last year.

“I would say this has been more of a ‘rebuilding year’” states head Coach Daniel Peterson. “Per the players’ ratings, we are a long-shot, but nothing is curbing our enthusiasm of hopefully placing in the top 3.”

During the State Championship, there will be five rounds of intense competition played in a bracket formation. The team which prevails in all five matches will become the winner.

Individual Competitions:

Members of La Salle’s chess team also have the opportunity to compete as individuals. Three of the team’s top players — Sean Richardson (12), William Adrience (11), and Nic Richardson (9) — competed in the Chess for Success Regional tournament in the beginning of February.

“As a coach, all of these competitions are enormously fun to watch. Yet, it’s eerily quiet, and can be nerve-wracking!” states Coach Daniel, describing the atmosphere during the matches. “It’s not a spectator sport, as absolutely NO CHEERING is allowed during the match.”

Richardson, Adriance, and Richardson competed in four solo matches during this tournament, earning 3 out of 4 points which qualified them to compete in the Chess for Success State Championship which will take place on April 9th at the Portland Expo Center.

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The chess team is always looking for new players of any skill level. The end of the season is steadily approaching, but Coach Daniel invites anyone who is interested in chess to attend the club meetings on Fridays after school in the library or to join the chess team next winter when the competition season resumes.