RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Thirty-one players participated in the fifth annual Randolph Base Championship Chess Tournament held March 1 at the enlisted club.
Participants competed in five categories for youth ages 6 to 18 and three categories for adults age 19 and older, with trophies awarded to first-, second- and third-place finishers in each category.
Sharon Rector, 12th Mission Support Group community support flight program manager, said the tournament had its highest number of players this year since it started in 2004.
"My goal this year was to sign up 25," Ms. Rector said. "We exceeded that goal with 31 players. We started with 12 in 2004 and it has grown steadily every year."
Ms. Rector said she was encouraged by the number of youth who participated in the tournament this year.
"We have some young children who are good in chess," she said. "The tournament was more competitive this year and the skill level of the players, especially the youth, has improved from previous years. It is just amazing to see how these children play, and it is refreshing to see them get away from TV, video games and computers."
Two of the children who excelled during the tournament were siblings Joel and Julia Davila. Competing in their first chess tournament ever, both of them won the youth divisions they competed in.
Joel and Julia's parents, Roger and Johanna, said they enjoyed seeing their children gain self-confidence in a venue that promoted sportsmanship, learning and thinking.
"They both have different strategies," Roger said. "Joel is more aggressive; he will swap pieces pretty fast. Julia is real conservative. To see them successful with their own strategies impressed us. All the kids had a good time at the tournament and it was nice to see them enjoy a game that challenges their mind."
Ms. Rector said next year's Base Championship Chess Tournament at the enlisted club, which will be held March 7, 2009, should be even better.
"This event has been growing and I expect it to get bigger next year," Ms. Rector said. "I am looking forward to next year's event."
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
The Randolph Base Championship Chess Tournament was held March 1 at the enlisted club with 31 youth and adults participating. Youth competed in five categories, adults in three. Here are the top finishers in each category:
Adult Div. I: 1. Paul Fafoutakis, 2. David Nix Sr.
Adult Div. II: 1. Jim Hale, 2. Alfred Garcia, 3. Jeremy Guinther.
Adult Div. III: 1. Brian Smith, 2. Steven Usher, 3. Dennis Marcus.
Youth 6-8: 1. Julia Davila, 2. Daniel Caukin, 3. Christopher Phan.
Youth 9-12 Div. I: 1. Cody Hartford, 2. Riley Kimminau, 3. Therese Phan.
Youth 9-12 Div. II: 1. Joel Davila, 2. Taylor Gates, 3. Shomari Tindal.
Youth 9-12 Div. III: 1. Josiah Ferguson, 2. Kevin Ruiz-Castillo, 3. Vincent Phan.
Youth 13-18: 1. David Nix, Jr. 2. Seth Anderson, 3. Timothy Davis Jr.